Fortune gains the bride.
Fortune helps the hardy.
"For I haif aft hard suith men say,
And we may see oursells,
That fortune helps the hardy aye,
And pultrones aye repels."
—Cherrie and the Slae.
For want o' a steek a shoe may be tint.
"A stitch in time saves nine." The old nursery lines fully explain the philosophy of this doctrine. "For want of a nail the shoe was lost, for want of a shoe the horse was lost, for want of a horse the man was lost."
Foster the guest that stays—further him that maun gang.
Foul fa' nought, and then he'll get naething.
Used in satirical allusion to those who expect a legacy from a very improbable source.