The Conduct of Affairs
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
poruḷkaruvi kālam viṉaiyiṭa ṉoṭaintu / miruṭīra veṇṇic ceyal.
“Treasure and instrument and time and deed and place of act: / These five, till every doubt remove, think o'ver with care exact.”
“Five things should be carefully considered in the doing of all action, namely, the resources in band, the instrument, the nature of the action itself, the proper time and the proper place for its execution.”
Consider resources, instruments, time, the action itself, and place—all five—until uncertainty is cleared, and then act.
Ask about this Kural
Answers are drawn only from this Kural's sourced text and named commentary, and always cite what they used.
Choose a section
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
பொருள் கருவி காலம் வினை இடனொடு ஐந்தும்= வினைசெய்யுமிடத்துப் பொருளும் கருவியும் காலமும் வினையும் இடனுமாகிய இவ்ஐந்தனையும்; இருள் தீர எண்ணிச் செயல்= மயக்கம் அற எண்ணிச் செய்க.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Weigh the required resources, instruments, right timing, nature of the action, and fitting place—examining all five without doubt before acting.