Who repairs not his gutters repairs his whole house

This teaches the folly of false economy and the effect of small things on greater ones. By not spending the small amount needed to repair the gutters, the owner of the house is liable to pay a much larger sum later on for putting right the damage caused to the house by water leaking from the gutters.

See also:

• It is no use spoiling the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar
• A stitch in time saves nine