"Never cut what you can untie"

Joseph Joubert’s phrase, “Never cut what you can untie,” calls for patience, gentleness, and wisdom in the way we handle challenges, relationships, and conflicts. It urges careful disentanglement instead of rash severance. At its core, the idea is to favor solutions that preserve rather than destroy, repair rather than discard.

When faced with a knot, the simplest method may appear to be cutting the rope, ending the problem quickly. However, this act is irreversible, once the rope is cut, its original strength and continuity are lost forever. By advocating for untying rather than cutting, Joubert encourages considering the long-term consequences of our actions. Effort spent loosening the knots may take more time and patience, but what is preserved, the relationship, resource, or situation, retains its integrity.

The saying applies profoundly to human relationships and disagreements. When faced with conflict, it is tempting to “cut” the tie, abandon communication, or sever bonds out of frustration or anger. Yet, by attempting to “untie” the knot, seeking understanding, compromise, and resolution, we maintain relationships and foster goodwill. The extra effort invested in understanding complexity and nuance helps build resilience, trust, and mutual respect.

In broader life decisions, this maxim champions thoughtful problem-solving. It prompts examination of all possible options before resorting to drastic measures. Sometimes, a problem that appears intractable simply needs time and attention, a careful tug here, a gentle loosening there, rather than a hasty, irrevocable act that forgoes any possibility of healing or redemption.

Ultimately, the counsel to "never cut what you can untie" is a reminder to value what binds us, whether they be ties of love, duty, or understanding. True wisdom lies not in wielding the knife, but in cultivating patience and care, finding ways to untangle life’s challenges without unnecessary loss.