Barbara W. Tuchman's book, "The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam," explores the concept that not every right action is necessarily the best course of action. She delves into the idea by presenting the philosophy of Burke, which suggests that certain principles might not need to be proven if doing so would lead to unfavorable outcomes. This underscores a critical examination of human behavior throughout history regarding decision-making and actions.

Tuchman highlights that the difficult balance between principle and practicality often leads to folly. The emphasis is on recognizing the importance of wisdom and discretion over rigid adherence to rights or principles when the consequences may be detrimental. This theme resonates through various historical events, illustrating the recurring patterns of misguided human choices and the impact they have on society.