Better to put a fence at the edge of the cliff or an ambulance down at the bottom?
Are you trying to solve a big problem, or maybe even a little one? Where will
your efforts best be used? Hi, I'm Dr. Paul Jenkins. I'm a professional
psychologist. In my entire career, I have been called on to help solve sometimes
huge catastrophic problems within families or relationships. What would be possible if
we could prevent some of those things from happening in the first place?
One of the things that I do professionally is that I sit on the board for Nova Principals
Foundation. This is an organization that really believes in doing preventative work with kids
in school to try to keep them safe from risky behaviors. So I know all about prevention and
what it takes. I wanted to share with you today a poem that dates back a hundred years or more.
Joseph Malin wrote this poem, and I think it captures the idea that I wanted to share
with you here today. It was a dangerous cliff as they freely confessed. Though to walk near its
crest was so pleasant, but over its terrible edge there had slipped a duke and full mini a
peasant. So the people said something would have to be done, but their projects did not at all.
Tally. Some said put a fence at the top of that cliff. Some an ambulance down in the valley. But
the call for the ambulance carried the day for it spread through the neighboring city. A fence
may be useful or not, it is true but each chart became full of pity for those who slipped over
that dangerous edge and the dwellers in highway and the alley gave pounds and gave pence. Not to put
up a fence, but an ambulance down in the valley. For the cliff is all right if you're careful
they said, and if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much as the shock down below when they're
stopping. So day after days, these mishaps occurred. Quick fourth, with those rescuers,
Sally to pick up the victims who fell off the cliff with their ambulance down in the valley.
Then an old sage remarked. It's a marvel to me that people give far more attention
to repairing results than to stopping the cause. Wwhen made much better aim at prevention. Let us
stop at its source all this nonsense, cried he. Come neighbors and friends, let us rally.
If that cliff, we will fence. We might almost dispense with the ambulance down in the valley.
Ah, he's a fanatic. The others rejoined. Dispensed with the ambulance, never.
He'd dispense with all charities too if he could. No, no. We'll support them forever.
Aren't we picking up folks just as fast as they fall? And will this man dictate to us, will he?
Why should people have sent stop to put up a fence when the ambulance works in the valley.
But the sensible few who are practical too will not bear with such nonsense much longer.
They know that prevention is better than cure and their parties will soon be the stronger.
Encourage them then with your purse, voice and pen and while other philanthropists dally,
they will scorn all pretense and put up a stealth fence around that
cliff that hangs over this valley. Better guide well the young than reclaim them
an old for the voice of true wisdom is calling. To rescue the fallen is good,
but is best to prevent other people from falling. Better close up the
source of temptation and crime than deliver from dungeon or galley.
Better put a strong fence at the top of the cliff than an ambulance down in the valley.
Can you think of some ways to apply this in what you are doing? Can you think of some
others who are doing important work building fences who might appreciate
seeing this video? Would you share it with them? Thanks for watching.