Diplomacy (By St. Thiruvalluvar) Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

681. Affection, noble descent and courtesies, the Kings want
Are the qualities of an envoy.
682. Love, wisdom and fluency are the three
essential requisites for an ambassador.
683. The enquirer of enquirers, the consul should speak
winning -words with the lance-bearing kings.
684. The intense presence of Intelligence, Personality and erudition
makes one fit for the job of an emissary.
685. Summarising, avoiding rude words and speaking sweet words
Make an envoy bring benefits to his nation.
686. Being wise, fearless to scary looks and effective in speech
An envoy finds the best solutions for the occasion.
687. Knowing the onerous duty, fitting time and place
An envoy thinks deep and delivers the message.
688. With integrity, resources and courage, an astute envoy
Utters the truthful message of his king to the other.
689. An envoys conveys the mandates of his king to the other
And never utters faulty words even by a slip of his tongue.
690. Being fearless to his resulting fatal end,
An envoy speaks for his sovereign’s good.