47.3 Action After Deliberation

 47.3 Action After Deliberation

Question:

When should one begin action on a project?

 

Answer:

             Actions should follow analytic decisions resulting from deep deliberations.

It is a disgrace to commence actions before such deliberations.             (Couplet - 467)

Any endeavor without a proper plan will fail even if many people

support it.                                                                                                     (Couplet - 468)

எண்ணித் துணிக கருமம் துணிந்தபின்

எண்ணுவம் என்பது இழுக்கு.                                                      (குறள் – 467)

ஆற்றின் வருந்தா வருத்தம் பலர்நின்று

போற்றினும் பொத்துப் படும்.                                                      (குறள் – 468)

Explanation:

It is said that “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Valluvar agrees with this dictum. It is wise to consider all aspects of the project at hand and plan every detail with the help of all available expertise. According to Valluvar, one should not begin any action without a well-thought-out plan. If a project is started without a proper plan, it may take more resources and time to complete. It is quite possible that such a project cannot even be completed. So, it is really a disgrace to start a project without a proper plan.

Too often, countries enter into wars out of an impulse without having the end goal and a detailed plan for achieving that goal. For example, in recent decades, the US presidents have launched unsuccessful wars against Korea, Viet Nam, Afghanistan, and Iraq. In these wars, the US had the support of its allies. Despite their support, the US did not win any of these wars. This confirms Valluvar’s statement in Couplet 468.