69. Ambassadors

Kindliness, high birth and a nature congenial to kings
comprise the innate disposition of an ambassador.

Kindliness, knowingness and deliberateness of speech
are three necessities a diplomat finds indispensable.

An envoy sent to announce to lance-bearing monarchs
his own king's imminent victory must be a pandit among pandits.

Send him on mission who possesses three attractive traits:
well-winnowed wisdom, modest dignity and ample learning. 

Whatever good an ambassador procures derives from succinct
speech, cheerful conversation and avoidance of argument.

An envoy is educated, eloquently persuasive, unafraid of 
the fiercest stare and knows what befits the moment.

He is unsurpassed who knows duty and place,
judges the suitable time and thinks before he speaks.

Integrity, influence and intrepidity--these three and truthfulness 
are qualities of one who faithfully delivers his monarch's message. 

Commission him to deliver the monarch's mandates
who has a steady gaze and never blurts out flawed words.

An ambassador fearlessly extends his king's glory,
though he might thereby expend his own life.