Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Ministers of State (அமைச்சியல்) — Conduct in the Presence of the King (மன்னரைச் சேர்ந்தொழுதல்)

Kural 691:
அகலாது அணுகாது தீக்காய்வார் போல்க
இகல்வேந்தர்ச் சேர்ந்தொழுகு வார்.
akalaadhu aNukaadhu theekkaaivaar poalka
igalvaendharch saerndhozhuku vaar
English couplet:
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.
Explanation: Ministers who serve under fickle-minded monarchs should, like those who warm themselves at the fire, be neither (too) far, nor (too) near.

Kural 692:
மன்னர் விழைப விழையாமை மன்னரால்
மன்னிய ஆக்கந் தரும்.
mannar vizhaipa vizhaiyaamai mannaraal
manniya aakkanh tharum
English couplet:
To those who prize not state that kings are wont to prize,
The king himself abundant wealth supplies.
Explanation: For ministers not to cover the things desired by their kings will through the kings themselves yield them everlasting wealth.

Kural 693:
போற்றின் அரியவை போற்றல் கடுத்தபின்
தேற்றுதல் யார்க்கும் அரிது.
poatrin ariyavai poatral kaduththapin
thaetrudhal yaarkkum aridhu
English couplet:
Who would walk warily, let him of greater faults beware;
To clear suspicions once aroused is an achievement rare.
Explanation: 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.

Kural 694:
செவிச்சொல்லும் சேர்ந்த நகையும் அவித்தொழுகல்
ஆன்ற பெரியா ரகத்து.
sevichchollum saerndha nakaiyum aviththozhukal
aandra periyaa rakaththu
English couplet:
All whispered words and interchange of smiles repress,
In presence of the men who kingly power possess.
Explanation: While in the presence of the sovereign, ministers should neither whisper to nor smile at others.

Kural 695:
எப்பொருளும் ஓரார் தொடரார்மற் றப்பொருளை
விட்டக்கால் கேட்க மறை.
epporuLum Oraar thotaraarmaR RapporuLai
vittakkaal kaetka maRai
English couplet:
Seek not, ask not, the secret of the king to hear;
But if he lets the matter forth, give ear!.
Explanation: (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).

Kural 696:
குறிப்பறிந்து காலங் கருதி வெறுப்பில
வேண்டுப வேட்பச் சொலல்.
kuRippaRindhu kaalanG karudhi veRuppila
vaendupa vaetpach solal
English couplet:
Knowing the signs, waiting for fitting time, with courteous care,
Things not displeasing, needful things, declare.
Explanation: 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.

Kural 697:
வேட்பன சொல்லி வினையில எஞ்ஞான்றும்
கேட்பினும் சொல்லா விடல்.
vaetpana solli vinaiyila eGnGnaandrum
kaetpinum sollaa vidal
English couplet:
Speak pleasant things, but never utter idle word;
Not though by monarch's ears with pleasure heard.
Explanation: Ministers should (always) give agreeable advice but on no occasion recommend useless actions, though requested (to do so).

Kural 698:
இளையர் இனமுறையர் என்றிகழார் நின்ற
ஒளியோடு ஒழுகப் படும்.
iLaiyar inamuRaiyar endrikazhaar nindra
oLiyoadu ozhukap padum
English couplet:
Say not, 'He's young, my kinsman,' despising thus your king;
But reverence the glory kingly state doth bring.
Explanation: 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!".

Kural 699:
கொளப்பட்டேம் என்றெண்ணிக் கொள்ளாத செய்யார்
துளக்கற்ற காட்சி யவர்.
koLappattaem endreNNik koLLaadha seyyaar
thuLakkatra kaatchi yavar
English couplet:
'We've gained his grace, boots nought what graceless acts we do',
So deem not sages who the changeless vision view.
Explanation: Those whose judgement is firm will not do what is disagreeable (to the sovereign) saying (within themselves) "We are esteemed by the king".

Kural 700:
பழையம் எனக்கருதிப் பண்பல்ல செய்யும்
கெழுதகைமை கேடு தரும்.
pazhaiyam enakkarudhip paNpalla seyyum
kezhudhakaimai kaedu tharum
English couplet:
Who think 'We're ancient friends' and do unseemly things;
To these familiarity sure ruin brings.
Explanation: The (foolish) claim with which a minister does unbecoming acts because of his (long) familiarity (with the king) will ensure his ruin.