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
Modern English
“The best messenger knows their duty, chooses the right time and place, and thinks carefully before speaking.”
Modern Interpretation
The best messenger knows their duty, chooses the right time and place, and thinks carefully before speaking. A student raising a sensitive issue should plan what to say and speak privately when the teacher can listen.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The best messenger knows their duty, chooses the right time and place, and thinks carefully before speaking.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
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
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