“quand l'ai a escapa de l'estable, fan la porto novo”: meaning and translation of this Provençal expression

Literal translation

once the donkey has escaped the stable, they build a new door

Meaning

closing the barn door after the horse has bolted

Explanation

This proverb echoes the idea of the doctor arriving after death: one always acts too late. Once the donkey has escaped the stable, they build a new door.

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