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I've heard this quote used in a joke form. Something like "I prayed to God for a bike but never got one. So I stole one and asked for forgiveness instead."

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I believe this would fall under the maxim "God only helps those who help themselves" :-/

How convenient

Yeah, I think that the general addendum is that it works if you have good reason to believe that you would have gotten permission had you asked for it. In a bureaucracy you avoid asking permission because it is expensive, it doesn't necessarily translate to other domains

It's more that had you asked, the reaction would be a kneejerk "no."

So you delay asking as long as possible so that you can present whatever it is as already successful, at which point the bureaucratic tendency to stasis is more on your side than against.

Indeed, so then you resubmit your request with evidence. Then a committee is formed, with sub committees to investigate each alternative. Then reports are delivered, deliberated on, discussed, disseminated, dissected

I'm sorry what was the question?

"Precisely! Months of fruitful work, leading to a mature and responsible conclusion."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmOvEwtDycs

Perfect

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