Knowing the Right Time
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eytaṟ kariya tiyaintakkā lannilaiyē / ceytaṟ kariya ceyal
“When hardest gain of opportunity at last is won, / With promptitude let hardest deed be done.”
“When thou hast got an unusual chance, hesitate not but straightway attempt even the impossible.”
When a rarely attainable opportunity has come together, perform in that very moment the action that would otherwise be difficult to accomplish.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
எய்தற்கு அரியது இயைந்தக்கால்= பகையை வெல்லக் கருதும் அரசர் தம்மால் எய்துதற்குஅரிய காலம் வந்து கூடியக்கால்; அந்நிலையே செய்தற்கு அரிய செயல்= அது கழிவதற்கு முன்பே, அது கூடாவழித் தம்மால் செய்தற்கு அரிய வினைகளைச் செய்க.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
When a rare and precious opportunity presents itself, do not hesitate; in that very moment, accomplish the extraordinary tasks that would otherwise remain out of reach.