









防患未然 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to prevent harm or trouble before it occurs”. To take precautions and avert potential dangers. Literally, “Prevent trouble before it happens”.
Once upon a time, a man visited his friend and noticed that his friend's stove was poorly designed. He suggested redesigning the stove and moving the firewood further away, but the host did not take his advice.
Soon after, the host's house caught fire. People rushed to help extinguish the flames.
The host prepared wine and slaughtered a cow to thank those who had worked tirelessly to put out the fire. However, people suggested that the host should instead thank the man who had advised him to redesign the stove and move the firewood.