Thirukkural 640 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
முறைப்படச் சூழ்ந்தும் முடிவிலவே செய்வர்
திறப்பாடு இலாஅ தவர்.
Transliteration
Muraippatach Choozhndhum Mutivilave Seyvar
Thirappaatu Ilaaa Thavar
Modern English
“People without the ability to execute will leave even well-designed plans incomplete.”
Modern Interpretation
People without the ability to execute will leave even well-designed plans incomplete. For example, a carefully planned event still fails if no one assigns tasks, solves problems, and finishes the work.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People without the ability to execute will leave even well-designed plans incomplete.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The unresolved, though well designed To fulfil an act they have no mind
G.U. Pope Translation
For gain of end desired just counsel nought availsTo minister, when tact in execution fails
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those ministers who are destitute of (executive) ability will fail to carry out their projects, although they may have contrived aright
Tamil commentary
செயல்திறம் இல்லாத அமைச்சர், செய்ய வேண்டியவற்றை முறையாக எண்ணி வைத்திருந்தாலும், அவற்றைச் செய்யும்போது அரைகுறையாகவே செய்வார்.
Chapter 64
More from The Office of Minister of state
அமைச்சு
He is minister who chooses Right means, time, mode and rare ventures
Kural 632With these he guards people, -by his Knowledge, firmness and manliness
Kural 633A minister cherishes friends Divides foes and the parted blends
Kural 634A minister must sift reflect Select and say surely one fact
Kural 635Have him for help who virtue knows Right wisdom speaks, ever apt in acts
Kural 636Which subtler brain can stand before The keen in brain with learned love?
Kural 637Albeit you know to act from books Act after knowing world's outlooks
Kural 638The man in place must tell the facts Though the ignorant king refutes
Kural 639Seventy crores of foes are better Than a minister with mind bitter
Kural 640The unresolved, though well designed To fulfil an act they have no mind