The Conduct of Affairs
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Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
ollumvā yellām viṉainaṉṟē yollākkāl / cellumvāy nōkkic ceyal.
When direct action is possible, that is good; when it is not, act by looking for another way through which the undertaking can succeed.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“When way is clear, prompt let your action be; / When not, watch till some open path you see.”
“Go straight for the goal whenever circumstances permit: but when circumstances are against, follow along the path that offereth the least resistance.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
ஒல்லும் வாய் எல்லாம் வினைநன்று= வினைசெய்யுங்கால், இயலும் இடத்தெல்லாம் போராற் செய்தல் நன்று; ஒல்லாக்கால் செல்லும் வாய்நோக்கிச் செயல்= அஃது இயலாவிடத்து, ஏனை மூன்று உபாயத்துள்ளும் அது முடிவதோர் உபாயநோக்கிச் செய்க.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar reads the verse in statecraft: where feasible, complete the action by war; where that is not feasible, seek among the other three political means the one by which it can succeed. A modern response may apply the planning distinction to nonviolent work, but must not erase the source's political and military frame.