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.