Is it easier to get permission or get forgiveness?

Question

Is it easier to get permission or get forgiveness?

Answer 1

Permission: Pretty to fairly easy.

Forgiveness: Harder to come by, but worth the effort.

Answer 2

It depends on the situation.  

Sometimes you have to do something for the greater good knowing if you ask permission,  you will never get it.  Once you do it, people will not be as angry as you once thought.    

Then again, there is a reason why the saying "No good deed goes unpunished," or the saying "The road to h**l is lined (or paved) with good intentions" exist.