משלי, פרק ט״ו, פסוק כ״ב

The success or failure of human plans depends heavily on the decision-making process, the selection of advisors, and the ability to maintain discretion. At the root of effective planning is the concept of counsel. Good advice is naturally secretive, kept quiet so that plans are not prematurely exposed to the outside world. Alternatively, counsel serves as the very foundation upon which any successful action is built [מצודת ציון].

The primary approach among commentators is that seeking advice from others is essential. When a person acts entirely alone, without sharing ideas or seeking input, their plans often fall apart and fail to materialize. On the other hand, bringing together a large group of advisors to discuss a matter ensures that the strategy will stand firm and ultimately succeed [רש״י, רלב״ג, אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The advice itself is what endures and holds strong [מלבי״ם].

On a more strategic level, there is a practical distinction between a person's initial thoughts and the final plan of action. Initial thoughts represent the wide variety of ideas and options that come to mind. These must be guarded carefully so that opponents do not sabotage them. In this context, gathering many advisors creates a necessary safety net of alternative tactics. If enemies manage to disrupt one plan, another piece of advice is ready to take its place [מלבי״ם].

In sharp contrast, another perspective warns against involving too many people. According to this line of thought, gathering a multitude of advisors is exactly what causes plans to fail. When a secret is shared among many partners, it becomes inevitable that information will leak and reach the ears of opponents. Therefore, leaders are urged to rely on a small, select group of wise individuals who know how to keep a secret, because having too many advisors will ultimately lead to the ruin of the entire plan [אלשיך, עמנואל הרומי].