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Kural 640

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muṟaippaṭac cūḻntu muṭivilavē ceyvar / tiṟappā ṭilāa tavar.

🎬 குறள் கதை · Story
G.U. Pope1886

“For gain of end desired just counsel nought avails / To minister, when tact in execution fails.”

V.V.S. Aiyar1916

“The irresolute may even plan perfectly: but they will waver in the course of the execution and will never accomplish their designs.”

Modern readingAI draft

Those who lack the practical capacity to finish leave work incomplete even after planning it properly and in order.

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Parimelazhagar’s commentary

13th century · public domain

Parimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.

முறைப் படச் சூழ்ந்தும் முடிவு இலவே செய்வர்= செய்யப்படும் வினைகளை முன் அடைவுபட எண்ணி வைத்தும், செய்யுங்கால் அவை முடிவு இலவாகவே செய்யாநிற்பர்; திறப்பாடு இலாதவர்= முடித்தற்கு ஏற்ற கூறுபாடு இல்லாதார்.

Source: Tamil Wikisource

In plain EnglishAI draft · pending review

Even if they deliberate methodically beforehand, those lacking practical execution capability will leave their undertakings unfinished and incomplete.