Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Ministers of State (அமைச்சியல்) — Modes of Action (வினைசெயல்வகை)

Kural 671:
சூழ்ச்சி முடிவு துணிவெய்தல் அத்துணிவு
தாழ்ச்சியுள் தங்குதல் தீது.
soozhchchi mutivu thuNiveydhal aththuNivu
thaazhchchiyuL thangudhal theedhu
English couplet:
The Resolve is counsel's end, If resolutions halt
In weak delays, still unfulfilled, 'tis grievous fault.
Explanation: Consultation ends in forming a resolution (to act); (but) delay in the execution of that resolve is an evil.

Kural 672:
தூங்குக தூங்கிச் செயற்பால தூங்கற்க
தூங்காது செய்யும் வினை.
thoonguka thoongich seyaRpaala thoongaRka
thoongaadhu seyyum vinai
English couplet:
Slumber when sleepy work's in hand: beware
Thou slumber not when action calls for sleepless care!.
Explanation: Sleep over such (actions) as may be slept over; (but) never over such as may not be slept over.

Kural 673:
ஒல்லும்வா யெல்லாம் வினைநன்றே ஒல்லாக்கால்
செல்லும்வாய் நோக்கிச் செயல்.
ollumvaa yellaam vinainhandrae ollaakkaal
sellumvaai noakkich seyal
English couplet:
When way is clear, prompt let your action be;
When not, watch till some open path you see.
Explanation: Whenever it is possible (to overcome your enemy) the act (of fighting) is certainly good; if not, endeavour to employ some more successful method.

Kural 674:
வினைபகை என்றிரண்டின் எச்சம் நினையுங்கால்
தீயெச்சம் போலத் தெறும்.
vinaipakai endriraNtin echcham ninaiyungaal
theeyechcham poalath thaeRum
English couplet:
With work or foe, when you neglect some little thing,
If you reflect, like smouldering fire, 'twill ruin bring.
Explanation: When duly considered, the incomplete execution of an undertaking and hostility will grow and destroy one like the (unextinguished) remnant of a fire.

Kural 675:
பொருள்கருவி காலம் வினையிடனொடு ஐந்தும்
இருள்தீர எண்ணிச் செயல்.
poruLkaruvi kaalam vinaiyitanoadu aindhum
iruLdheera eNNich seyal
English couplet:
Treasure and instrument and time and deed and place of act:
These five, till every doubt remove, think o'er with care exact.
Explanation: Do an act after a due consideration of the (following) five, viz. money, means, time, execution and place.

Kural 676:
முடிவும் இடையூறும் முற்றியாங்கு எய்தும்
படுபயனும் பார்த்துச் செயல்.
mutivum idaiyooRum mutriyaangu eydhum
padupayanum paarththuch seyal
English couplet:
Accomplishment, the hindrances, large profits won
By effort: these compare,- then let the work be done.
Explanation: An act is to be performed after considering the exertion required, the obstacles to be encountered, and the great profit to be gained (on its completion).

Kural 677:
செய்வினை செய்வான் செயன்முறை அவ்வினை
உள்ளறிவான் உள்ளம் கொளல்.
seyvinai seyvaan seyanmuRai avvinai
uLLaRivaan uLLam koLal
English couplet:
Who would succeed must thus begin: first let him ask
The thoughts of them who thoroughly know the task.
Explanation: The method of performance for one who has begun an act is to ascertain the mind of him who knows the secret thereof.

Kural 678:
வினையான் வினையாக்கிக் கோடல் நனைகவுள்
யானையால் யானையாத் தற்று.
vinaiyaan vinaiyaakkik koadal nanaikavuL
yaanaiyaal yaanaiyaath thatru
English couplet:
By one thing done you reach a second work's accomplishment;
So furious elephant to snare its fellow brute is sent.
Explanation: To make one undertaking the means of accomplishing another (similar to it) is like making one rutting elephant the means of capturing another.

Kural 679:
நட்டார்க்கு நல்ல செயலின் விரைந்ததே
ஒட்டாரை ஒட்டிக் கொளல்.
nattaarkku nalla seyalin viraindhadhae
ottaarai ottik koLal
English couplet:
Than kindly acts to friends more urgent thing to do,
Is making foes to cling as friends attached to you.
Explanation: One should rather hasten to secure the alliance of the foes (of one's foes) than perform good offices to one's friends.

Kural 680:
உறைசிறியார் உள்நடுங்கல் அஞ்சிக் குறைபெறின்
கொள்வர் பெரியார்ப் பணிந்து.
uRaisiRiyaar uLnhatungal anjik kuRaipeRin
koLvar periyaarp paNindhu
English couplet:
The men of lesser realm, fearing the people's inward dread,
Accepting granted terms, to mightier ruler bow the head.
Explanation: Ministers of small states, afraid of their people being frightened, will yield to and acknowledge their superior foes, if the latter offer them a chance of reconciliation.