Thirukkural 516 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
செய்வானை நாடி வினைநாடிக் காலத்தோடு
எய்த உணர்ந்து செயல்.
Transliteration
Seyvaanai Naati Vinainaatik Kaalaththotu
Eydha Unarndhu Seyal
Modern English
“Before acting, consider who will do the work, what the work requires, and when the time is right.”
Modern Interpretation
Before acting, consider who will do the work, what the work requires, and when the time is right. For example, plan a school event around the team’s skills, the task’s difficulty, and the date’s practical limits.
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Modern Plain English
Before acting, consider who will do the work, what the work requires, and when the time is right.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Discern the agent and the deed And just in proper time proceed
G.U. Pope Translation
Let king first ask, 'Who shall the deed perform?' and 'What the deed?'Of hour befitting both assured, let every work proceed
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let (a king) act, after having considered the agent (whom he is to employ), the deed (he desires to do), and the time which is suitable to it
Tamil commentary
முதலில் ஒரு செயலைச் செய்ய வேண்டியவனின் தகுதிகளை எண்ணி அவன் செய்ய வேண்டிய செயலின் தகுதியையும் எண்ணி பிறகு அவனையும் அச்செயலையும் செய்யப்படும் காலத்தோடு பொருத்தி எண்ணிச் செயல் செய்க.
Chapter 52
More from Selection and Employment
தெரிந்து வினையாடல்
Employ the wise who will discern The good and bad and do good turn
Kural 512Let him act who resource swells; Fosters wealth and prevents ills
Kural 513Trust him in whom these four you see: Love, wit, non-craving, clarity
Kural 514Though tried and found fit, yet we see Many differ before duty
Kural 515Wise able men with power invest Not by fondness but by hard test
Kural 516Discern the agent and the deed And just in proper time proceed
Kural 517This work, by this, this man can do Like this entrust the duty due
Kural 518His fitness for the duty scan Leave him to do the best he can
Kural 519Who do duty for duty's sake Doubt them; and fortune departs quick
Kural 520Worker straight the world is straight The king must look to this aright