catching is before hanging

used to say that offenders must be caught before they can be punished for their crimes, emphasizing the importance of taking necessary actions before consequences can occur

The origin of the proverb "catching is before hanging" is uncertain, but it reflects traditional wisdom used in various cultures. It emphasizes that events often follow a natural order, where the initial steps must happen before the final result. The proverb serves as a reminder that certain processes or actions cannot be skipped or rushed, and each step must be addressed before the conclusion can be reached.