Chapter 29 — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 29

Valmiki Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda

Verse 29.7

यो हि कालव्यतीतेषु मित्रकार्येषु वर्तते। स कृत्वा महतोऽप्यान्न मित्रार्थेन युज्यते॥

yo hi kālavyatīteṣu mitrakāryeṣu vartate| sa kṛtvā mahato'pyānna mitrārthena yujyate||

English Meaning

He, who engage in his friend's service after the proper season is over, does nothing to his well-being, though he performs a great thing.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)