Following is the translation of Thirukkural, a discourse on ethics, its author is Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, who lived around 3rd Century. Its translation is done by Mr. NV Subbaraman, he lives in Chennai.

                                                                                          CHAPTER FORTY NINE

         ASSESSING TIME

           அதிகாரம் 49

            காலம் அறிதல்

                                                                              ~*~

Original

பகல்வெல்லும் கூகையைக் காக்கை; இகல்வெல்லும்

வேந்தர்க்கு வேண்டும் பொழுது.

Pronunciation

Pagalvellum kookaiyaik kaakkai; igalvellum

Vaendharkku vaeNdum  pozhudhu.

Translation

By day the crow can

Defeat the owl; the king needs

Right time to quell foes.

Comment

Crow can defeat its foe the owl stronger during the day time; similarly, a king can defeat his enemies  if he finds out the appropriate time and acts.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

பருவத்தோடு ஒட்ட ஒழுகல்; திருவினைத்

தீராமை ஆர்க்கும் கயிறு.

Pronunciation

Paruvaththoadu otta ozhugal; thiruvinaith

Theeraamai aarkkum kayiru..

Translation

Action on right time

Is indeed a chord that binds

Fortune sure to shine!

Comment

One has to toil according to the appropriate time; that right time is the chord that binds one to good fortune.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

அருவினை என்ப உளவோ; கருவியான்

காலம் அறிந்து செயின்?

Pronunciation

Aruvinai enba uLavoe; karuviyaan

Kaalam arindhu seyin?

Translation

What is hard for him

Who acts on the time correct

That gets win for him.

Comment

To the one who analyzes appropriate time to do a particular work and acts, nothing is difficult for him to accomplish.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

ஞாலம் கருதினும் கைகூடும்; காலம்

கருதி இடத்தால் செயின்.

Pronunciation

Njaalam karudhinum kaikoodum; kaalam

Karudhi idaththaal seyin.

Translation

Can conquer the world

If he times his action right

With all support bold!

Comment

If one focuses and times his actions correct, he can acquire the whole world if he wants.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

காலம் கருதி இருப்பர்; கலங்காது

ஞாலம் கருது பவர்.

Pronunciation

Kaalam karudhi iruppar kalanggaadhu

Njaalam karudhu bavar.

Translation

To conquer the world

King must wait for the time right

Though is strong and bold.

Comment

Those who want to acquire the whole world, without worrying about it, will wait for the appropriate time to arrive and then plunge it to action and win.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

ஊக்கம் உடையான் ஒடுக்கம் பொருதகர்

தாக்கற்குப் பேரும் தகைத்து.

Pronunciation

OOkkam udaiyaan odukkam poruthagar

Thaakkarkup paerum thagaiththu.

Translation

Just wait for right time

To launch offence on the foe!

Sheep steps back to pounce.

Comment

One has to wait with patience to launch an attack on his enemies in the appropriate time. There is nothing wrong in stepping back to pounce with greater strength and force.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

பொள்ளென ஆங்கே புறம்வேரார்;காலம்பார்த்து

உள்வேர்ப்பர் ஒள்ளி யவர்.

Pronunciation

PoLLena aangghae puramvaeraar; kaalampaarththu

ULvaerpar oLLi yavar.

Translation

Anger-keeps the wise

Within- till the time cis ripe

To pounce strong and nice.

Comment

The wise will not get into anger at the wrongs done by the enemies but wait with patience till the appropriate time keeping the anger within.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

செறுநரைக் காணின் சுமக்க;இறுவரை

காணின் கிழக்காம் தலை.

Pronunciation

Serunaraik kaaNin sumakka; iruvarai

KaaNin kizhakkaam thalai.

Translation

Till right time sets in

Wait in patience; the foe’s head

Rolls down on its own

Comment

One has to wait with patience controlling anger against enemies; at the appropriate time, when the time comes, the heads of foes will roll down with our routine and normal efforts.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

எய்தற்கு அரியது இயைந்தக்கால் அந்நிலையே

செய்தற்கு அரிய செயல்.

Pronunciation

Eudharkku ariyadhu iyaindhakkaal annilaiyae

Seydharkku ariya seyal.

Translation

When right time sets in

Complete all deeds to be done

Sure success and win!

Comment

To accomplish a work, wait for the appropriate time, availing the same, plunge into action immediately. One is bound to accomplish all important and difficult assignments.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

கொக்குஒக்க கூம்பும் பருவத்து; மற்றுஅதன்

குத்துஒக்க சீர்த்த இடத்து.

Pronunciation

Kokkuokka koombum paruvaththu; matru adhan

Kuththuokka seerththa idaththu.

Translation

Crane waits for its fish

Man to wait for apt time to

Strike right and finish.

Comment

To accomplish a work successfully, wait till the appropriate time , just as a crane waits with patience and gets its food-the fish.