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தெரிந்து செயல்வகை: Acting after due Consideration
About this chapter
தெரிந்து செயல்வகை, acting after due consideration, is about thinking before acting. It begins with weighing costs and gains and ends with the warning that a project the world would despise should not be done.
Kural 461 tells the reader to weigh what will be lost, what will be gained and the final profit before acting. Kural 462 adds that deliberating with chosen friends makes difficult things possible. Kural 463 warns against risking one's capital for hopes of profit, and Kural 464 against beginning anything whose outcome is unclear. Kural 465 says that setting out against a foe without thinking through the plan only helps him. Kural 466 states that doing what is unfit and failing to do what is fit both lead to ruin. Kural 467 gives the chapter's best-known rule: think first, then act, and do not say "we will think about it" after the decision. Kural 468 says that work done by the wrong methods fails even with many supporters, and Kural 469 that even good work can fail if the dispositions of the people involved are ignored. Kural 470 closes by advising only actions that others will not scorn.
Kural 467 is the one to know. Kural 466 is the most useful when one is weighing a decision, as it shows that inaction can be a failure too.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits governance, since it describes careful decision-making.
The 10 kurals of தெரிந்து செயல்வகை
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
அழிவதூஉம் ஆவதூஉம் ஆகி வழிபயக்கும்
ஊதியமும் சூழ்ந்து செயல்.
Azhivadhooum Aavadhooum Aaki Vazhipayakkum
Oodhiyamum Soozhndhu Seyal
Expenditure, return, and profit of the deedIn time to come; weigh these- than to the act proceed
தெரிந்த இனத்தொடு தேர்ந்தெண்ணிச் செய்வார்க்கு
அரும்பொருள் யாதொன்றும் இல்
Therindha Inaththotu Therndhennich Cheyvaarkku
Arumporul Yaadhondrum Il
With chosen friends deliberate; next use the private thought; Then act By those who thus proceed all works with ease are wrought
ஆக்கம் கருதி முதலிழக்கும் செய்வினை
ஊக்கார் அறிவுடை யார்.
Aakkam Karudhi Mudhalizhakkum Seyvinai
Ookkaar Arivutai Yaar
To risk one's all and lose, aiming at added gain, Is rash affair, from which the wise abstain
தெளிவி லதனைத் தொடங்கார் இளிவென்னும்
ஏதப்பாடு அஞ்சு பவர்.
Thelivi Ladhanaith Thotangaar Ilivennum
Edhappaatu Anju Pavar
A work of which the issue is not clear, Begin not they reproachful scorn who fear
வகையறச் சூழா தெழுதல் பகைவரைப்
பாத்திப் படுப்பதோ ராறு.
Vakaiyarach Choozhaa Thezhudhal Pakaivaraip
Paaththip Patuppadho Raaru
With plans not well matured to rise against your foe, Is way to plant him out where he is sure to grow
செய்தக்க அல்ல செயக்கெடும் செய்தக்க
செய்யாமை யானுங் கெடும்.
Seydhakka Alla Seyak Ketum
Seydhakka Seyyaamai Yaanung Ketum
'Tis ruin if man do an unbefitting thing; Fit things to leave undone will equal ruin bring
எண்ணித் துணிக கருமம் துணிந்தபின்
எண்ணுவம் என்பது இழுக்கு.
Ennith Thunika Karumam Thunindhapin
Ennuvam Enpadhu Izhukku
Think, and then dare the deed! Who cry,'Deed dared, we'll think,' disgraced shall be
ஆற்றின் வருந்தா வருத்தம் பலர்நின்று
போற்றினும் பொத்துப் படும்.
Aatrin Varundhaa Varuththam Palarnindru
Potrinum Poththup Patum
On no right system if man toil and strive, Though many men assist, no work can thrive
நன்றாற்ற லுள்ளுந் தவுறுண்டு அவரவர்
பண்பறிந் தாற்றாக் கடை.
Nandraatra Lullun Thavuruntu Avaravar
Panparin Thaatraak Katai
Though well the work be done, yet one mistake is made, To habitudes of various men when no regard is paid
எள்ளாத எண்ணிச் செயல்வேண்டும் தம்மோடு
கொள்ளாத கொள்ளாது உலகு.
Ellaadha Ennich Cheyalventum Thammotu
Kollaadha Kollaadhu Ulaku
Plan and perform no work that others may despise; What misbeseems a king the world will not approve as wise
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