Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Ministers of State (அமைச்சியல்) — Power in Action (வினைத்திட்பம்)

Kural 661:
வினைத்திட்பம் என்பது ஒருவன் மனத்திட்பம்
மற்றைய எல்லாம் பிற.
vinaiththitpam enpadhu oruvan manaththitpam
matraiya ellaam piRa
English couplet:
What men call 'power in action' know for 'power of mind'
Externe to man all other aids you find.
Explanation: Firmness in action is (simply) one's firmness of mind; all other (abilities) are not of this nature.

Kural 662:
ஊறொரால் உற்றபின் ஒல்காமை இவ்விரண்டின்
ஆறென்பர் ஆய்ந்தவர் கோள்.
ooRoraal utrapin olkaamai ivviraNtin
aaRenpar aaindhavar koaL
English couplet:
'Each hindrance shun', 'unyielding onward press, If obstacle be there,'
These two define your way, so those that search out truth declare.
Explanation: Not to perform a ruinous act, and not to be discouraged by the ruinous termination of an act, are the two maxims which, the wise say, from the principles of those who have investigated the subject.

Kural 663:
கடைக்கொட்கச் செய்தக்க தாண்மை இடைக்கொட்கின்
எற்றா விழுமந் தரும்.
kadaikkotkach seydhakka thaaNmai idaikkotkin
etraa vizhumanh tharum
English couplet:
Man's fitting work is known but by success achieved;
In midst the plan revealed brings ruin ne'er to be retrieved.
Explanation: So to perform an act as to publish it (only) at its termination is (true) manliness; for to announce it beforehand, will cause irremediable sorrow.

Kural 664:
சொல்லுதல் யார்க்கும் எளிய அரியவாம்
சொல்லிய வண்ணம் செயல்.
solludhal yaarkkum eLiya ariyavaam
solliya vaNNam seyal
English couplet:
Easy to every man the speech that shows the way;
Hard thing to shape one's life by words they say!.
Explanation: To say (how an act is to be performed) is (indeed) easy for any one; but far difficult it is to do according to what has been said.

Kural 665:
வீறெய்தி மாண்டார் வினைத்திட்பம் வேந்தன்கண்
ஊறெய்தி உள்ளப் படும்.
VeeReydhi maaNdaar vinaiththitpam vaendhan-kaN
ooReydhi uLLap padum
English couplet:
The power in act of men renowned and great,
With king acceptance finds and fame through all the state.
Explanation: The firmness in action of those who have become great by the excellence (of their counsel) will, by attaining its fulfilment in the person of the king, be esteemed (by all).

Kural 666:
எண்ணிய எண்ணியாங்கு எய்து எண்ணியார்
திண்ணியர் ஆகப் பெறின்.
eNNiya eNNiyaangu eydhu eNNiyaar
thiNNiyar aagap peRin
English couplet:
Whate'er men think, ev'n as they think, may men obtain,
If those who think can steadfastness of will retain.
Explanation: If those who have planned (an undertaking) possess firmness (in executing it) they will obtain what they have desired even as they have desired it.

Kural 667:
உருவுகண்டு எள்ளாமை வேண்டும் உருள்பெருந்தேர்க்கு
அச்சாணி அன்னார் உடைத்து.
uruvukaNdu eLLaamai vaeNdum uruLperundhaerkku
achchaani annaar udaiththu
English couplet:
Despise not men of modest bearing; Look not at form, but what men are:
For some there live, high functions sharing, Like linch-pin of the mighty car!.
Explanation: Let none be despised for (their) size; (for) the world has those who resemble the linch-pin of the big rolling car.

Kural 668:
கலங்காது கண்ட வினைக்கண் துளங்காது
தூக்கங் கடிந்து செயல்.
kalangaadhu kaNda vinaikkaN thuLangaadhu
thookkanG katindhu seyal
English couplet:
What clearly eye discerns as right, with steadfast will,
And mind unslumbering, that should man fulfil.
Explanation: An act that has been firmly resolved on must be as firmly carried out without delay.

Kural 669:
துன்பம் உறவரினும் செய்க துணிவாற்றி
இன்பம் பயக்கும் வினை.
thunpam uRavarinum seyka thuNivaatri
inpam payakkum vinai
English couplet:
Though toil and trouble face thee, firm resolve hold fast,
And do the deeds that pleasure yield at last.
Explanation: Though it should cause increasing sorrow (at the outset), do with firmness the act that yield bliss (in the end)

Kural 670:
எனைத்திட்பம் எய்தியக் கண்ணும் வினைத்திட்பம்
வேண்டாரை வேண்டாது உலகு.
enaiththitpam eythiyak kaNNum vinaiththitpam
vaeNdaarai vaeNdaadhu ulagu
English couplet:
The world desires not men of every power possessed,
Who power in act desire not,- crown of all the rest.
Explanation: The great will not esteem those who esteem not firmness of action, whatever other abilities the latter may possess.