The Ambassador
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tokaccollit tūvāta nīkki nakaccolli / naṉṟi payappatān tūtu.
“In terms concise, avoiding wrathful speech, who utters pleasant word, / An envoy he who gains advantage for his lord.”
“Conciseness of speech, sweetness of tongue and a careful eschewing of all disagreeable language, these are the means by which the ambassador shall work his master’s profit.”
True envoy-work condenses many matters, removes needlessly harsh wording, speaks pleasantly, and thereby produces benefit. It does not omit inconvenient truth.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
தொகச் சொல்லி= வேற்றரசர்க்குப் பல காரியங்களைச் சொல்லும்வழிக் காரணவகையான் தொகுத்துச் சொல்லியும்; தூவாத நீக்கி நகச்சொல்லி= இன்னாத காரியங்களைச் சொல்லும்வழி வெய்ய சொற்களை நீக்கி இனிய சொற்களான் மனமகிழச் சொல்லியும்; நன்றி பயப்பது தூதாம்= தன் அரசனுக்கு நன்மையைப் பயப்பவனே தூதனாவான்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Conveying matters concisely, eliminating offensive language, speaking so as to win delightful agreement, and securing advantage—such is true diplomacy.