Do you Tend To Cut The Gordian Knot In Your Decision Making?

A Greek peasant Gordius became ruler of Phrygia only because he was the first man to arrive in town after an oracle had ordered his countrymen to “select as king the first man who would drive into the town square in a wagon.” Gordius was that man and ingratitude dedicated his wagon to Zeus the god. He then securely tied the tongue of the wagon in the temple grove with a strong, thick rope. So intricately was the knot entwined that no one was able to undo it. 

Though many tried, all had failed. A certain prophet foretold that whoever succeeded in untying the intricate knot would become the king of all Asia. Young Alexander the Great heard this and attempted to untie the complex Gordian knot but could not succeed, so, drawing his sword, he cut it cleanly through with a single stroke. Of course, Alexander went on to become the ruler of all of Asia and places beyond. This is how the expression, “to cut the Gordian knot” was born and is now widely used for resolving difficult problems by quick and decisive actions.