Tirukkural-On Virtue-The Importance of Virtue-Kural-36

Add as a preferred source on Google

Do not postpone virtuous deeds, as these alone will befriend you to the full,
Until you die and even afterwards.

Deeds of virtue are referred to here, as having the potential for undying help till the time of death, which is in line with the Biblical statement.

'…Righteousness delivereth from death'.

Such deeds of virtue should be performed there and then and should certainly not be postponed. In Silapathikaram too, while explaining to the Chera King about the uncertainty of life, even with reference to a single day, of wealth and youth, through his character Madalan, Ilangoadigal echoes the sentiments of Valluvar as follows:

Naalai Seikuvom aram yenil indrae
Kelvi naluyur neenginum neengum
Idhuvaena varaindhu vaalunaal unarndhor
Mudhuneer ulakir muluvadhum illai

The same idea has been expressed in another Kural
Naachetru vikul mael vaaraamun nalvinai
Mersendru seyapadum

At a late stage in life, even if good sense prevails, it may not be possible to implement it, as those around including even the wife, may or may not co-operate. This is explained picturesquely in Naladiar – 32.

Sirukaalaiye thamaku selvali nalki
Irukirukath thotkopuk kollaar-Irukiruki
Pinarivaam yenrirukkum paethaiyar kaikaattum
Ponnum puli vilangaayiram

This 'pulivilangai' story has been amplified touchingly in Thiruthakka Thevar's Jeevaka Chinthamani. The wife who intentionally misunderstood the dying husband's sign, indicating the need to do charity with their hoarded wealth, is reported to have told the on-lookers, as if she were horrified, that her husband who was overly fond of 'pulivilangai' was asking for the forbidden fruit at the moment of death.