Kural 687Chapter 69: The Envoy

Thirukkural 687 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

கடனறிந்து காலங் கருதி இடனறிந்து
எண்ணி உரைப்பான் தலை.

Transliteration

Katanarindhu Kaalang Karudhi Itanarindhu
Enni Uraippaan Thalai

English Translation

“Knowing duty time and place The envoy employs mature phrase”

Plain-English meaning

He is chief (among ambassadors) who understands the proper decorum (before foreign princes), seeks the (proper) occasion, knows the (most suitable) place, and delivers his message after (due)

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

Compare translations

English Translation

Knowing duty time and place The envoy employs mature phrase

G.U. Pope Translation

He is the best who knows what's due, the time considered well,The place selects, then ponders long ere he his errand tell

Plain-English Meaning

He is chief (among ambassadors) who understands the proper decorum (before foreign princes), seeks the (proper) occasion, knows the (most suitable) place, and delivers his message after (due)

Tamil commentary

தம் நாட்டிற்காக அடுத்த அரசிடம் தாம் ஆற்றவேண்டிய கடமையை அறிந்து, சொல்ல வேண்டியதை முன்னதாகவே மனத்துள் திட்டமிட்டு, ஏற்ற நேரம் பார்த்துக் கடமையைச் செய்வதற்குப் பொருத்தமான இடத்தையும் கண்டு சொல்பவனே தூதருள் தலைமையானவன்.

Chapter 69

More from The Envoy

தூது

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 681

Love, noble birth, good courtesy Pleasing kings mark true embassy

Kural 682

Envoys must bear love for their prince Knowledge and learned eloquence

Kural 683

Savant among savants, he pleads Before lanced king, triumphant words

Kural 684

Who has these three: good form, sense, lore Can act as bold ambassador

Kural 685

Not harsh, the envoy's winsome ways Does good by pleasant words concise

Kural 686

Learned; fearless, the envoy tends Convincing words which time demands

Kural 687

Knowing duty time and place The envoy employs mature phrase

Kural 688

The true envoy of three virtues Is pure helpful and bold in views

Kural 689

The envoy who ports the king's message Has flawless words and heart's courage

Kural 690

Braving death the bold envoy Assures his king's safety and joy