Kural 481Chapter 49: Knowing the fitting Time

Thirukkural 481 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

பகல்வெல்லும் கூகையைக் காக்கை இகல்வெல்லும்
வேந்தர்க்கு வேண்டும் பொழுது.

Transliteration

Pakalvellum Kookaiyaik Kaakkai Ikalvellum
Vendharkku Ventum Pozhudhu

Modern English

“Even the weaker side can succeed when it chooses the right time to act.”

Modern Interpretation

Even the weaker side can succeed when it chooses the right time to act. For example, presenting a proposal when decision-makers are ready to listen is wiser than forcing it at a busy moment.

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

Compare translations

Modern Plain English

Even the weaker side can succeed when it chooses the right time to act.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

By day the crow defeats the owl Kings need right time their foes to quell

G.U. Pope Translation

A crow will conquer owl in broad daylight;The king that foes would crush, needs fitting time to fight

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

A crow will overcome an owl in the day time; so the king who would conquer his enemy must have (a suitable) time

Tamil commentary

தன்னைவிடப் பலமுள்ள கோட்டானைக் காக்கை பகலில் வென்றுவிடும்; ஆகவே பகைவரை வெல்ல எண்ணுபவர்க்கு அதற்கு ஏற்ற காலம் அவசியம்.

Chapter 49

More from Knowing the fitting Time

காலமறிதல்

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 481

By day the crow defeats the owl Kings need right time their foes to quell

Kural 482

Well-ordered seasoned act is cord That fortune binds in bon accord

Kural 483

What is hard for him who acts With proper means and time and tacts?

Kural 484

Choose proper time and act and place Even the world you win with ease

Kural 485

Who want to win the world sublime Wait unruffled biding their time

Kural 486

By self-restraint stalwarts keep fit Like rams retreating but to butt

Kural 487

The wise jut not their vital fire They watch their time with hidden ire

Kural 488

Bear with hostiles when you meet them Fell down their head in fateful time

Kural 489

When comes the season ripe and rare Dare and do hard things then and there

Kural 490

In waiting time feign peace like stork In fighting time strike like its peck