Thirukural-Right Forethought-(Decision Making)-Kural 467

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Every plan of action should follow a well considered decision, made after examining all aspects of the problem and analyzing possible solutions, and finally arriving at the best solution possible, under the circumstances.

Counseling may be had during the process of analyzing the facts and circumstances of the problem, and the alternatives developed by way of solution. In modern management, even the computers help substantially. But the final analysis and decision making should be that of the chief executive (i.e) the king.

He may invite and receive the best advice from the wise and experienced men around him. But he will make the final decision (decision making) himself and thereafter, there will be no more room for dissent.

Even the Armed Forces and the police adopt modern management techniques of effective decision making these days, as propounded by Peter Drucker and Herbert Simon, and obtain inputs from persons in the field, staff and experts, but once the decision is made and 'D" and arrives, as one general put it, 'let no dog bark."

A similar instruction is conveyed by Thiruvalluvar in Kural 671 as follows:

“Soolchi mudivu thuniveidhal athunivu
Thaalchiyul thangudhal theedhu" (Thirukural 671)

The implication of this verse is that after considerable thought, planning and analysis, you arrive at a decision. Once that is done any hesitation or delay will be suicidal.

This does not, however, rule out reviews at certain stages of the action, when intermediate goals have been achieved and appropriate consideration of further steps is called for.

Right Forethought

Different aspects of 'Right Forethought' is handled by Thiruvalluvar in Thirukural. In Kural 467 , he lays emphasis on the importance of efficient decision making.

Thirukural

The ethical treatise, from Tamil classical literature, 'Thirukural', is written by Thiruvalluvar. Ramanandha Adigalar Foundation has taken it to a larger audience through its Thirukural in English.