Look before you leap (Hy suy ngh trc khi hnh ng)

Most of us act on impulse and make a wreck of our loves. Some of us act in haste and repent later. Many of us would have been spared of many tears only if we had the wisdom to take into consideration the pros and cons of the situation before taking action. Therefore, the proverb warns us to make use of our foresight and forethought before finally deciding to do a thing. Let us take the example of the very few who by a stroke of luck may have won triumph and glory. In fact, such quick and successful achievement is very rare in the world, but chance is always uncertain and it is a folly to rely totally on it. Having adopted a course of action without thinking, we find at once too many difficulties impeding our progress. This become a source of regular worry: why need we be hasty? If only we avoid actions on impulse we can avoid most of our troubles. Experience has shown this to be completely true. As children, we must cultivate that virtue of patience. Without patience we shall perish.