<p>Prompt: Is making a bad decision better than making no decision at all?</p>
<p>People make decisions every day no matter how important they are. Some decisions have long-term effects while others have short-term effects. Knowing possible consequences will allow one to make decisions better. Thus, if one define bad decisions as decisions that lead to possible hazard, one'd better make no decision at all. There are literary evidences to support my thesis. </p>
<p>In Agatha Christie's Mysterious Affairs at Styles, the protagonist detective Hercule Poirot proceeds on investigating carefully and avoids making any rough decision. Ms. Inglethorp, the host of house that Poirot visits, is poisoned by someone in the house. Penetrating and smart as he is, Poirot knows that Mr. Inglethorp, the husband, is the murderer. However, Poirot does not immediately accuse Mr. Inglethorp, but instead scrutinizes the crime scene for more evidences. Finally, Poirot finds the last piece of evidence, the torn letter, and confidently arrest Mr. Inglethorp. Had Poirot accused Mr. Inglethorp immediately without sufficient evidences, Mr. Inglethorp might become vigilant enough to destroy the evidences that and easily escape the arrest. Poirot's case clearly shows that making bad decisions is not better than making no decision at all but rather worse as bad decisions make situations more critical and deleterious. </p>
<p>Another evidence is from Shakespeare's Macbeth. Lennox, the king's royal noble, demonstrates that making no decision is better than making bad decisions. Even though Lennox perceives that Macbeth is the traitor and the murderer of King Duncan, he does not accuse Macbeth but stays still. Eventually, when Lennox has a chance, he escapes from Macbeth and go tells the truth to Macduff and Malcom. Once the truth is known, soldiers gather together and finally defeat Macbeth. Because Lennox is prudent enough not to pronounce the truth quickly, he survives and comes back with troops to defeat Macbeth. It is well revealed that making no decision has benefit over making bad decisions. </p>
<p>From literary evidences, it is clear that making bad decision, which leads to possible harm, is worse than making no decision at all. Just as Poirot patiently gathers more evidences before making accusation, Lennox prudently waits his chance to escape from Macbeth. An old Thai saying goes, "You are a master of your words only before you utter them."</p>
<p>Thank you very much!</p>