Laudator Temporis Acti

I saw https://laudatortemporisacti.blogspot.com/2023/08/too-late.html (digging a well after you're thirsty) and was reminded of a similar proverb in Sanskrit that imagines something even more absurd: when a house is burning down, it's too late to dig a well. :-)

A poem/epigram by Bhartṛhari uses this idea in its last line. As translated by Ryder (fairly close, with the added title being a connection made by him):

IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH

While life is vigorous and bright,
        While sickness comes not, nor decay,
While all your powers are at their height,
        While yet old age is far away,
Then, wise man, let your thoughts be turning
        To heaven's hopes and fears of hell;
For when the house is fired and burning,
        It is too late to dig a well.

yāvat svastham idaṃ śarīram arujaṃ yāvac ca dūre jarā
yāvac cendriya-śaktir apratihatā yāvat kṣayo nāyuṣaḥ |
ātma-śreyasi tāvad eva viduṣā kāryaḥ prayatno mahān
sandīpte bhavane tu kūpa-khananaṃ pratyudyamaḥ kīdṛśaḥ ||

Some more translations here: https://shreevatsa.net/bhartrhari/web/K194.html