கடனறிந்து காலங் கருதி இடனறிந்து
எண்ணி உரைப்பான் தலை.
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)