The Conduct of Affairs
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muṭivu miṭaiyūṟu muṟṟiyāṅ keytum / paṭupayaṉum pārttuc ceyal.
“Accomplishment, the hindrances, large profits won / By effort: these compare, then let the work be done!”
“Determine first the exertion necessary, the obstacles in the way, and the expected profit, and then undertake thy enterprise.”
Weigh the effort required for completion, the obstacles, and the great benefit reached after those obstacles are overcome; then act.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
முடிவும்= வினை செய்யுங்கால் அது முடிதற்கு உளதாம் முயற்சியும்; இடையூறும்= அதற்கு வரும் இடையூறும்; முற்றியாங்கு எய்தும் படுபயனும்= அது நீங்கி முடிந்தாற் தான் எய்தும் பெரும்பயனும்; பார்த்துச் செயல்= சீர்தூக்கிச் செய்க.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Weigh the effort needed for completion, the obstacles that will arise along the way, and the great benefit attained upon success, before undertaking action.