is there ever a time to not look and think carefully about an actual
situation?
suppose one were the sole provider for a large family and lost their job. one looks and looks and finally an opportunity arises. and the person can actually do the job. and do it well.
but!
a degree is mandatory. the person lacks that. what to do? see if they can be hired by demonstrating ability might be on choice.
if jobs are.scarce and the family has begun to starve tho? me, I would accept that some negative karma would be incurred. I would accept some delay on reaching enlightenment. I would lie.
if hired, I would get the degree quietly, over time.
there is no absolute thing to do. it depends on the situation.
to save the lives of others, especially others who are children or otherwise dependant on you, I don't see how I could make any choice that ignored that (but again, a situation could arise in which I acted differently).
to me it seems the essence of Buddhism is awareness. generalizing or adhering to preconcieved ideas of what to do and not do seems a bit robotic and not a way to further the habit of actually percieving. it also gives no room to listen to ones inner voice, intuition or whatever you want to call it, which I've always understood to be also perception just not always at the level.of conscious intent.