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Posts: 4397 · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 12:36 am

2.2.4. Power in Action

661
What men call 'power in action' know for 'power of mind'
Externe to man all other aids you find.
Firmness in action is (simply) one's firmness of mind; all other (abilities) are not of this nature.

662
'Each hindrance shun', 'unyielding onward press, If obstacle be there,'
These two define your way, so those that search out truth declare.
Not to perform a ruinous act, and not to be discouraged by the ruinous termination of an act, are the two maxims which, the wise say, from the principles of those who have investigated the subject.

663
Man's fitting work is known but by success achieved;
In midst the plan revealed brings ruin ne'er to be retrieved.
So to perform an act as to publish it (only) at its termination is (true) manliness; for to announce it beforehand, will cause irremediable sorrow.

664
Easy to every man the speech that shows the way;
Hard thing to shape one's life by words they say!
To say (how an act is to be performed) is (indeed) easy for any one; but far difficult it is to do according to what has been said.

665
The power in act of men renowned and great,
With king acceptance finds and fame through all the state.
The firmness in action of those who have become great by the excellence (of their counsel) will, by attaining its fulfilment in the person of the king, be esteemed (by all).

666
Whate'er men think, ev'n as they think, may men obtain,
If those who think can steadfastness of will retain.
If those who have planned (an undertaking) possess firmness (in executing it) they will obtain what they have desired even as they have desired it.

667
Despise not men of modest bearing; Look not at form, but what men are:
For some there live, high functions sharing, Like linch-pin of the mighty car!
Let none be despised for (their) size; (for) the world has those who resemble the linch-pin of the big rolling car.

668
What clearly eye discerns as right, with steadfast will,
And mind unslumbering, that should man fulfil.
An act that has been firmly resolved on must be as firmly carried out without delay.

669
Though toil and trouble face thee, firm resolve hold fast,
And do the deeds that pleasure yield at last.
Though it should cause increasing sorrow (at the outset), do with firmness the act that yield bliss (in the end).

670
The world desires not men of every power possessed,
Who power in act desire not,- crown of all the rest.
The great will not esteem those who esteem not firmness of action, whatever other abilities the latter may possess.

2.2.5. The Envoy

681
Benevolence high birth, the courtesy kings love:-
These qualities the envoy of a king approve.
The qualification of an ambassador are affection (for his relations) a fitting birth, and the possession of attributes pleasing to royalty.

682
Love, knowledge, power of chosen words, three things,
Should he possess who speaks the words of kings.
Love (to his sovereign), knowledge (of his affairs), and a discriminating power of speech (before other sovereigns) are the three sine qua non qualifications of an ambassador.

683
Mighty in lore amongst the learned must he be,
Midst jav'lin-bearing kings who speaks the words of victory.
To be powerful in politics among those who are learned (in ethics) is the character of him who speaks to lance-bearing kings on matters of triumph (to his own sovereign).

684
Sense, goodly grace, and knowledge exquisite.
Who hath these three for envoy's task is fit.
He may go on a mission (to foreign rulers) who has combined in him all these three. viz., (natural) sense, an attractive bearing and well-tried learning.

685
In terms concise, avoiding wrathful speech, who utters pleasant word,
An envoy he who gains advantage for his lord.
He is an ambassador who (in the presence of foreign rulers) speaks briefly, avoids harshness, talks so as to make them smile, and thus brings good (to his own sovereign).

686
An envoy meet is he, well-learned, of fearless eye
Who speaks right home, prepared for each emergency.
He is an ambassador who having studied (politics) talks impressively, is not afraid of angry looks, and knows (to employ) the art suited to the time.

687
He is the best who knows what's due, the time considered well,
The place selects, then ponders long ere he his errand tell.
He is chief (among ambassadors) who understands the proper decorum (before foreign princes), seeks the (proper) occasion, knows the (most suitable) place, and delivers his message after (due) consideration.

688
Integrity, resources, soul determined, truthfulness.
Who rightly speaks his message must these marks possess.
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.

689
His faltering lips must utter no unworthy thing,
Who stands, with steady eye, to speak the mandates of his king.
He alone is fit to communicate (his sovereign's) reply, who possesses the firmness not to utter even inadvertently what may reflect discredit (on the latter).

690
Death to the faithful one his embassy may bring;
To envoy gains assured advantage for his king.
He is the ambassador who fearlessly seeks his sovereign's good though it should cost him his life (to deliver his message).

2.2.6. Conduct in the Presence of the King

691
Who warm them at the fire draw not too near, nor keep too much aloof;
Thus let them act who dwell beneath of warlike kings the palace-roof.
Ministers who serve under fickle-minded monarchs should, like those who warm themselves at the fire, be neither (too) far, nor (too) near.

692
To those who prize not state that kings are wont to prize,
The king himself abundant wealth supplies.
For ministers not to cover the things desired by their kings will through the kings themselves yield them everlasting wealth.

693
Who would walk warily, let him of greater faults beware;
To clear suspicions once aroused is an achievement rare.
Ministers who would save themselves should avoid (the commission of) serious errors for if the king's suspicion is once roused, no one can remove it.

694
All whispered words and interchange of smiles repress,
In presence of the men who kingly power possess.
While in the presence of the sovereign, ministers should neither whisper to nor smile at others.

695
Seek not, ask not, the secret of the king to hear;
But if he lets the matter forth, give ear!
(When the king is engaged) in secret counsel (with others), ministers should neither over-hear anything whatever nor pry into it with inquisitive questions, but (wait to) listen when it is divulged (by the king himself).

696
Knowing the signs, waiting for fitting time, with courteous care,
Things not displeasing, needful things, declare.
Knowing the (king's disposition and seeking the right time, (the minister) should in a pleasing manner suggest things such as are desirable and not disagreeable.

697
Speak pleasant things, but never utter idle word;
Not though by monarch's ears with pleasure heard.
Ministers should (always) give agreeable advice but on no occasion recommend useless actions, though requested (to do so).

698
Say not, 'He's young, my kinsman,' despising thus your king;
But reverence the glory kingly state doth bring.
Ministers should behave in accordance with the (Divine) light in the person of kings and not despise them saying, "He is our junior (in age) and connected with our family!".

699
'We've gained his grace, boots nought what graceless acts we do',
So deem not sages who the changeless vision view.
Those whose judgement is firm will not do what is disagreeable (to the sovereign) saying (within themselves) "We are esteemed by the king".

700
Who think 'We're ancient friends' and do unseemly things;
To these familiarity sure ruin brings.
The (foolish) claim with which

P.S Sorry viewers, i gave wrong title as 630 to 650 in previous post of English Tirukurral but posted 10 kurals more , kindly read that there and catch other kurals here. Thanks.