This proverb advises getting rid of wizards or malicious individuals as soon as they appear, just as you cut herbs as soon as they start growing. It warns about the potential dangers that wizards represent and suggests immediate and decisive action to neutralize them. The English equivalent of this proverb would be ‘Better safe than sorry’. This proverb also reflects traditional Malagasy beliefs about witchcraft and the importance of prompt action in the face of subtle threats.