Acting after due Consideration
Aakkam Karudhi Mudhalizhakkum Seyvinai / Ookkaar Arivutai Yaar
Classical English couplet — “To risk one's all and lose, aiming at added gain,Is rash affair, from which the wise abstain”
What it says in plain words
“Wise people do not chase future profits through actions that could lose the money they already have.”
The classical Tamil reading
பின் விளையும் ஊதியத்தைக் கருதி இப்போது கையில் உள்ள முதலை இழந்து விடக் காரணமாச் செயலை அறிவுடையோர் மேற்க்கொள்ள மாட்டார்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
பெரும் ஆதாயம் கிட்டுமென்று எதிர்பார்த்துக் கை முதலையும் இழந்து விடக்கூடிய காரியத்தை அறிவுடையவர்கள் செய்யமாட்டார்கள்
The ethical and philosophical heart
A promise of large profits can make a risky plan attractive. But the hoped-for gain may never reach your hands. You could also lose the money you started with. The lesson is to protect what you already have. Before putting money into a plan, consider what you could lose.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You avoid putting all your savings into a scheme promising quick profits.
- Workplace
- A shop owner avoids buying costly stock that could use up the shop's funds without selling.
- Family
- A family keeps its rent money out of a risky investment.
- Society
- A community group avoids risking its repair fund on a promise of doubling the money.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Compare the hoped-for gain with the money you could lose.
- Integrity
- Be honest about possible losses when asking others to invest.
- Communication
- Explain what money is at risk, not just the expected profit.
- Leadership
- Protect the team's existing funds before chasing a bigger return.
- Governance
- Avoid risking public funds on projects whose promised profits could leave those funds lost.
For leaders and teams
When others trust you with money, look beyond the promised gain. Consider whether the plan could lose what they already have.
Something to sit with
“What hoped-for gain might be drawing your attention away from money you could lose today?”