What is the meaning of "Hafer Machashavos b'Ein Sod"?
Rashi: Without counsel, intent will not stand.
R. Yonah: When a man reveals his secret, the hearer tells his brother and colleague [and they tell others], and the Rabim find out, and one of them will annul his intent.
Why does it say "uv'Rov Yo'atzim Takum"?
R. Yonah: Via many advisors, intent will stand. If secrets are guarded, but there are no advisors, he does not cause annulment of the intent, but he did not cause its fulfillment. Sod is hiding a matter; Etzah is investigating opinions about a matter.
Malbim: Machashavos are all possible ways that cross a man's mind. If he takes counsel and chooses one of them, this is Etzah. If he takes counsel and ties many Etzos one to another, this is called Tachbulah. One must hide the Machashavos that cross his mind. If they are revealed, enemies or people who seek his evil will annul his Etzah. Then many Etzos are needed, so that if one of them is annulled, he will do another, like I explained "v'Sachbulos Ta'aseh Lecha Milchamah" (refer to 24:6:1:4). For this, one needs many advisors. Then, even if the Etzah of one of them is annulled, the Etzah of another will stand.
