Thirukkural 684 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அறிவுரு வாராய்ந்த கல்விஇம் மூன்றன்
செறிவுடையான் செல்க வினைக்கு.
Transliteration
Arivuru Vaaraaindha Kalviim Moondran
Serivutaiyaan Selka Vinaikku
Modern English
“A person sent on an important mission should have sound judgment, a pleasing manner, and well-tested learning.”
Modern Interpretation
A person sent on an important mission should have sound judgment, a pleasing manner, and well-tested learning. A youth leader asked to meet officials should be informed, composed, and respectful.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A person sent on an important mission should have sound judgment, a pleasing manner, and well-tested learning.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who has these three: good form, sense, lore Can act as bold ambassador
G.U. Pope Translation
Sense, goodly grace, and knowledge exquisiteWho hath these three for envoy's task is fit
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He may go on a mission (to foreign rulers) who has combined in him all these three viz, (natural) sense, an attractive bearing and well-tried learning
Tamil commentary
இயல்பான நல்லறிவு, காண்பவர் விரும்பும் தோற்றம், பலரோடும் பலகாலமும் ஆராய்ந்த கல்வி இம்மூன்றையும் நிறையப் பெற்றுச் சொல்ல வேண்டியதைத் தானே எண்ணிச் சொல்லும் திறம் படைத்தவன் தூதர் பணிக்குச் செல்க.
Chapter 69
More from The Envoy
தூது
Love, noble birth, good courtesy Pleasing kings mark true embassy
Kural 682Envoys must bear love for their prince Knowledge and learned eloquence
Kural 683Savant among savants, he pleads Before lanced king, triumphant words
Kural 684Who has these three: good form, sense, lore Can act as bold ambassador
Kural 685Not harsh, the envoy's winsome ways Does good by pleasant words concise
Kural 686Learned; fearless, the envoy tends Convincing words which time demands
Kural 687Knowing duty time and place The envoy employs mature phrase
Kural 688The true envoy of three virtues Is pure helpful and bold in views
Kural 689The envoy who ports the king's message Has flawless words and heart's courage
Kural 690Braving death the bold envoy Assures his king's safety and joy