Kurippu arindhu kaalam karudhi verupila vendupa vetpach chollal. Read the signs, consider the moment, and say what is needed in a way that does not displease. This is couplet 696 of the Thirukkural, the classical Tamil book of ethics, in its chapter on conduct in the presence of kings. One English version reads: “Knowing the signs, waiting for fitting time, with courteous care, / Things not displeasing, needful things, declare.”