Thirukkural 688 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தூய்மை துணைமை துணிவுடைமை இம்மூன்றின்
வாய்மை வழியுரைப்பான் பண்பு.
Transliteration
Thooimai Thunaimai Thunivutaimai Immoondrin
Vaaimai Vazhiyuraippaan Panpu
Modern English
“A trustworthy messenger is honest, supported by good relationships, brave, and faithful to the message.”
Modern Interpretation
A trustworthy messenger is honest, supported by good relationships, brave, and faithful to the message. A volunteer reporting a problem should tell the truth, seek the right support, and not be intimidated.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A trustworthy messenger is honest, supported by good relationships, brave, and faithful to the message.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The true envoy of three virtues Is pure helpful and bold in views
G.U. Pope Translation
Integrity, resources, soul determined, truthfulnessWho rightly speaks his message must these marks possess
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The qualifications of him who faithfully delivers his (sovereign's) message are purity, the support (of foreign ministers), and boldness, with truthfulness in addition to the (aforesaid) three
Tamil commentary
பணத்தின் மீதும் அயல் பெண்கள் மீதும் ஆசை இல்லாமல் இருக்கும் நேர்மை, அடுத்த அரசின் அமைச்சர்களின் துணை, நல்லனவே எண்ணிச் செய்யும் துணிவு இம் மூன்றையும் உண்மையாகவே பெற்றிருப்பதே கூறியது கூறும் தூதரின் பண்பு.
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