Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Royalty (அரசியல்) — Knowing the fitting Time (காலமறிதல்)

Kural 481:
பகல்வெல்லும் கூகையைக் காக்கை இகல்வெல்லும்
வேந்தர்க்கு வேண்டும் பொழுது.
pakalvellum kookaiyaik kaakkai ikalvellum
vaendharkku vaeNdum pozhudhu
English couplet:
A crow will conquer owl in broad daylight;
The king that foes would crush, needs fitting time to fight.
Explanation: A crow will overcome an owl in the day time; so the king who would conquer his enemy must have (a suitable) time.

Kural 482:
பருவத்தோடு ஒட்ட ஒழுகல் திருவினைத்
தீராமை ஆர்க்குங் கயிறு.
paruvaththoadu otta ozhukal thiruvinaith
theeraamai aarkkunG kayiRu
English couplet:
The bond binds fortune fast is ordered effort made,
Strictly observant still of favouring season's aid.
Explanation: Acting at the right season, is a cord that will immoveably bind success (to a king).

Kural 483:
அருவினை யென்ப உளவோ கருவியான்
காலம் அறிந்து செயின்.
aruvinai yenpa uLavoa karuviyaan
kaalam aRindhu seyin
English couplet:
Can any work be hard in very fact,
If men use fitting means in timely act?.
Explanation: Is there anything difficult for him to do, who acts, with (the right) instruments at the right time ?.

Kural 484:
ஞாலம் கருதினுங் கைகூடுங் காலம்
கருதி இடத்தாற் செயின்.
Gnaalam karudhinunG kaikootunG kaalam
karudhi idaththaaR seyin
English couplet:
The pendant world's dominion may be won,
In fitting time and place by action done.
Explanation: Though (a man) should meditate (the conquest of) the world, he may accomplish it if he acts in the right time, and at the right place.

Kural 485:
காலம் கருதி இருப்பர் கலங்காது
ஞாலம் கருது பவர்.
kaalam karudhi iruppar kalangaadhu
Gnaalam karudhu pavar
English couplet:
Who think the pendant world itself to subjugate,
With mind unruffled for the fitting time must wait.
Explanation: They who thoughtfully consider and wait for the (right) time (for action), may successfully meditate (the conquest of) the world.

Kural 486:
ஊக்க முடையான் ஒடுக்கம் பொருதகர்
தாக்கற்குப் பேருந் தகைத்து.
ookka mudaiyaan otukkam porudhakar
thaakkaRkup paerunh thakaiththu
English couplet:
The men of mighty power their hidden energies repress,
As fighting ram recoils to rush on foe with heavier stress.
Explanation: The self-restraint of the energetic (while waiting for a suitable opportunity), is like the drawing back of a fighting-ram in order to butt.

Kural 487:
பொள்ளென ஆங்கே புறம்வேரார் காலம்பார்த்து
உள்வேர்ப்பர் ஒள்ளி யவர்.
poLLena aangae puRamvaeraar kaalampaarththu
uLvaerppar oLLi yavar
English couplet:
The glorious once of wrath enkindled make no outward show,
At once; they bide their time, while hidden fires within them glow.
Explanation: The wise will not immediately and hastily shew out their anger; they will watch their time, and restrain it within.

Kural 488:
செறுநரைக் காணின் சுமக்க இறுவரை
காணின் கிழக்காம் தலை.
seRunharaik kaaNin sumakka iRuvarai
kaaNin kizhakkaam thalai
English couplet:
If foes' detested form they see, with patience let them bear;
When fateful hour at last they spy,- the head lies there.
Explanation: If one meets his enemy, let him show him all respect, until the time for his destruction is come; when that is come, his head will be easily brought low.

Kural 489:
எய்தற் கரியது இயைந்தக்கால் அந்நிலையே
செய்தற் கரிய செயல்.
eydhaR kariyadhu iyaindhakkaal anhnhilaiyae
seydhaR kariya seyal
English couplet:
When hardest gain of opportunity at last is won,
With promptitude let hardest deed be done.
Explanation: If a rare opportunity occurs, while it lasts, let a man do that which is rarely to be accomplished (but for such an opportunity).

Kural 490:
கொக்கொக்க கூம்பும் பருவத்து மற்றதன்
குத்தொக்க சீர்த்த இடத்து.
kokkokka koompum paruvaththu matradhan
kuththokka seerththa idaththu
English couplet:
As heron stands with folded wing, so wait in waiting hour;
As heron snaps its prey, when fortune smiles, put forth your power.
Explanation: At the time when one should use self-control, let him restrain himself like a heron; and, let him like it, strike, when there is a favourable opportunity.