Better late than never.

The saying accepts an overdue action as preferable to leaving the action undone altogether. It frames delay as regrettable, but not as a reason to abandon a useful, necessary, or promised task.

It can also encourage someone who feels they have missed the ideal moment to proceed anyway. The proverb softens criticism of lateness while preserving the idea that prompt action would have been better and not implying that all delays are harmless or acceptable.

Use it when a delayed arrival, response, completion, or decision still brings a worthwhile result. It may be said warmly in encouragement or lightly in response to someone finally doing what was expected; avoid it where lateness has caused serious harm.