No 98
When in doubt whether or not to do something, generally it is best not to do it.
-- Kenko --
Essays in Idleness
Kenko is most assuredly a cautious fellow.
Generally, if I have doubts about doing something, I will wait. After some time has passed, I frequently decide that I don't need to do it. However, sometimes I will close my eyes and jump right in.
musing on the impermanence of impermanence, i often discover that decisions make themselves...
ReplyDeleteMudpuddle, in what way?
Deleterather a diffuse pov, but events do tend to coalesce and sometimes have a mind of their own...
DeleteMudpuddle, yes, sometimes waiting allows the problem to sort itself out and go away or perhaps clear up some of the confusion.
DeleteWe had a phrase from 'Up North'... "When in doubt, do nowt"
ReplyDeleteI think that it depends on the person. Some people are generally over cautious. For them, this might not be good advice. Others are reckless, for them, it might pay to heed this.
ReplyDeleteBrian, I had a friend whose philosophy was that even doing the wrong thing was better than doing nothing.
DeleteR.T., sometimes I wish I had also. But, I suspect there were times that I wish I hadn't. Those I will never know about as I didn't take that road (Frost again).
ReplyDeleteCyberKitten, rhyme helps the memory, no doubt.
ReplyDeleteI kind of agree with No. 98. Especially in today's world. But if I were in my twenties, I'd probably disagree.
ReplyDeleteYvette, yes, today's world is quite different, definitely not the one I grew up in. On the other hand, I've changed too, probably, as you suggest, more cautious now than way back when.
DeleteI wonder if it's just slowing down or that I know more than I did years ago, or perhaps I just think I know more now.