Chapter 69: Ambassadors
Kural 681
Kindliness, high birth and a nature congenial to kings
comprise the innate disposition of an ambassador.
Kural 682
Kindliness, knowingness and deliberateness of speech
are three necessities a diplomat finds indispensable.
Kural 683
An envoy sent to announce to lance-bearing monarchs
his own king's imminent victory must be a pandit among pandits.
Kural 684
Send him on mission who possesses three attractive traits:
well-winnowed wisdom, modest dignity and ample learning.
Kural 685
Whatever good an ambassador procures derives from succinct
speech, cheerful conversation and avoidance of argument.
Kural 686
An envoy is educated, eloquently persuasive, unafraid of
the fiercest stare and knows what befits the moment.
Kural 687
He is unsurpassed who knows duty and place,
judges the suitable time and thinks before he speaks.
Kural 688
Integrity, influence and intrepidity--these three and truthfulness
are qualities of one who faithfully delivers his monarch's message.
Kural 689
Commission him to deliver the monarch's mandates
who has a steady gaze and never blurts out flawed words.
Kural 690
An ambassador fearlessly extends his king's glory,
though he might thereby expend his own life.