a stumble may prevent a fall

proverb A setback or obstacle may ultimately prevent worse problems. A: "Maybe it's a good thing you closed the business when you did—you would have lost so much more money in this recession." B: "That is true. They do say that a stumble may prevent a fall." I know it's hard to think of it this way, but a stumble may prevent a fall. Yes, you were hoping your script would get picked up by a studio, but maybe it's better that that didn't happen right now—they'd be liable to exploit a young unknown like yourself. Well, try not to dwell on the adversity we're facing—a stumble may prevent a fall, after all.