Tirukural.Chapter 68: Modes of Action.

Kural 671

Deliberation ends when a decision is reached.
To delay that decision’s execution is detrimental.
Kural 672

Slumber when sleepy work awaits,
but never rest when actions demand sleepless vigilance.
Kural 673

Direct action is good whenever possible,
but when it is not, seek other means of success.
Kural 674

Reflect on this: efforts and enemies, if left unfinished,
can both ravage you like an unextinguished fire.
Kural 675

Before acting, resolve all doubts by pondering five points:
cost, means, time, place and the action itself.
Kural 676

Discern the outcome of an enterprise, the obstacles and the
opulent earnings that successful effort assures–then act.
Kural 677

The way to accomplish any task is to ascertain
the inmost thoughts of an expert in that task.
Kural 678

Just as one elephant may be used to tether another,
so one task may be the means of accomplishing another.
Kural 679

Before bestowing kind favors on friends,
hasten to befriend those still estranged.
Kural 680

Sensing with trepidation their peoples’ fears, leaders of
minor realms bow and accept the terms of mightier rulers.

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