"A resolution to avoid an evil is seldom framed till the evil is so far advanced as to make avoidance impossible"

Thomas Hardy’s observation reveals a profound truth about human nature and the way people respond to adversity or wrongdoing. When confronted with the possibility of harm, individuals frequently delay decisive action, allowing risks or negative circumstances to develop unchecked. This procrastination stems from a combination of hope, denial, and inertia; people often underestimate the severity of looming issues, convincing themselves that problems can be dealt with at a later, more convenient moment. As a result, resolutions to avoid or combat an evil are commonly postponed, not out of ignorance, but due to an unwillingness to confront discomfort or upheaval prematurely.

By the time an individual or a society acknowledges the necessity of action, the negative force has often gathered strength, becoming entrenched and much more difficult to overcome. What might have been circumvented with foresight and prompt effort has matured into a crisis resistant to easy solutions. The resolve, often sparked belatedly by panic or desperation, proves ineffective because the opportunity to prevent the evil has vanished. Inaction transforms potential protection into mere regret, as avoidance is no longer within reach.

This pattern extends beyond personal failings and finds resonance in collective experiences. Governments ignore warning signs before disastrous events, communities look away from growing injustices, and individuals dismiss unhealthy habits until they face dire consequences. The cost of hesitation becomes starkly visible only after it is too late to escape the consequences that could have been prevented.

Hardy’s words challenge readers to recognize and resist this human tendency to defer action. The lesson is not simply one of caution, but of timely engagement and responsibility. Addressing threats, be they moral, social, or personal, requires courage and vigilance before they escalate beyond remedy, an invitation to confront difficulties early, ensuring that decisions are driven by wisdom rather than necessity forced by crisis.