proverb · Words worth keeping
After the cow is stolen, they lock the barn.
After the cow is stolen, they lock the barn.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Locking a barn after a cow is stolen gives a precaution an image of arriving after a loss. The saying questions delayed prevention.
What the words are saying
The image supplies no security procedure or proof that a particular loss could have been prevented. A useful application reviews a known weakness before recurrence while still offering help after harm. It should not blame the affected person or treat later repair as worthless.
Everyday example
A team addresses a discovered weakness and helps those affected instead of only criticising the timing.
When to use it
Use it to discuss prevention and repair without victim blame.
What it does not mean
No security guarantee or culpability of a harmed person is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
Germany
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.- Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 787; PDF page 71; collection label: Germany
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- Germany