Thirukkural 685 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தொகச்சொல்லித் தூவாத நீக்கி நகச்சொல்லி
நன்றி பயப்பதாந் தூது.
Transliteration
Thokach Chollith Thoovaadha Neekki
Nakachcholli Nandri Payappadhaan Thoodhu
Modern English
“A good messenger speaks briefly, leaves out needless harshness, and presents the message in a way that helps others respond well.”
Modern Interpretation
A good messenger speaks briefly, leaves out needless harshness, and presents the message in a way that helps others respond well. When asking another club to cooperate, explain the key point politely instead of blaming them.
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Modern Plain English
A good messenger speaks briefly, leaves out needless harshness, and presents the message in a way that helps others respond well.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Not harsh, the envoy's winsome ways Does good by pleasant words concise
G.U. Pope Translation
In terms concise, avoiding wrathful speech, who utters pleasant word,An envoy he who gains advantage for his lord
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He is an ambassador who (in the presence of foreign rulers) speaks briefly, avoids harshness, talks so as to make them smile, and thus brings good (to his own sovereign)
Tamil commentary
அடுத்த அரசிடம் சொல்லவேண்டியவற்றைத் தொகுத்துச் சொல்லியும், வெறுப்பு ஊட்டக் கூடியவற்றை விலக்கியும், இனிய சொற்களால் மனம் மகிழக் கூறியும், தம் சொந்த நாட்டிற்கு நன்மையைத் தேடி தரவேண்டியது தூதரின் பண்பாகும்.
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