A good solution applied with vigor now is better than a perfect solution applied ten minutes later.

Often attributed to Gen. George S. Patton Jr., the line expresses a core principle of command: in fast-moving, high-stakes situations, timely action can matter more than exhaustive optimization. It elevates decisiveness and momentum—choosing a workable course, committing resources, and exploiting initiative—over waiting for ideal information or consensus. The “ten minutes later” phrasing underscores how quickly opportunities close in combat (and, by extension, in business or crisis management). The quote is frequently used to justify bias toward action, while still implying that the “good solution” must be competent enough to avoid reckless improvisation.