The Ambassador
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aṉpaṟi vārāynta colvaṉmai tūturaippārk / kiṉṟi yamaiyāta mūṉṟu.
Love, intelligence about what benefits one's ruler, and strength in carefully considered speech—these three are indispensable to an envoy.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Love, knowledge, power of chosen words, three things, / Should he possess who speaks the words of kings.”
“A loving nature, a wise understanding, and skill in speech, these three are indispensable to the envoy.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அன்பு= தம்மரசன் மாட்டு அன்புடைமையும்; அறிவு= அவனுக்கு ஆவன அறியும் அறிவுடைமையும்; ஆராய்ந்த சொல்வன்மை= அவற்றை வேற்றரசரிடைச் சொல்லுங்கால் ஆராய்ந்து சொல்லுதல் வன்மையும் என; தூது உரைப்பார்க்கு இன்றியமையாத மூன்று= தூதுரைக்க உரியார்க்கு இன்றியமையாத குணங்கள் மூன்று.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains the three as love for one's ruler, intelligence to know what benefits him, and the power to speak after consideration before another ruler. In modern public service, loyalty remains bounded by law and the public good rather than personal devotion to an officeholder.