Knowing the Right Time
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pakalvelluṅ kūkaiyaik kākkai yikalvellum / vēntarkku vēṇṭum poḻutu
“A crow will conquer owl in broad daylight; / The king that foes would crush, needs fitting time to fight.”
“The crow triumpheth over the owl when it is day: so opportunity is a great thing to the prince who would vanquish his enemy.”
A crow defeats an owl in daylight; likewise, a ruler who seeks to overcome opposition needs the fitting time.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
கூகையைக் காக்கை பகல்வெல்லும்= தன்னின் வலிதாய கூகையைக் காக்கை பகற்பொழுதின்கண் வெல்லாநிற்கும்; இகல் வெல்லும் வேந்தர்க்கு வேண்டும் பொழுது= அதுபோலப் பகைவரது இகலை வெல்லக் கருதும் அரசர்க்கு அதற்கேற்ற காலம் இன்றியமையாதது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
A crow can defeat an owl during the day despite the owl's superior strength; in the same manner, leaders who wish to triumph over adversaries must choose the right time to act.