8). On King’s Advisors or Secretaries (Ch. 70):

8). On King’s Advisors or Secretaries (Ch. 70):

In this section Valluvar writes on those who are chosen to serve the king. Secretaries or advisers to king are like those who “warm themselves at fire, neither too close nor too far” from the king; “they neither whisper not smile in the presence of the king; they should always know king’s disposition and suggest desirable things to king; they should understand the king, just by his disposition; they should neither over hear when the king is in secret council or pry into it; they should be able to read the eyes of foreign kings and visitors, and reveal to their king.” They shall not desire the same thing, which the king himself desires.
Thiruvalluvar says that the adviser to the ruler should give firm advice to rectify errors. It is gratifying to find an ancient saint giving this advice when the present day advisers (secretaries to Ministers and ministries) are shy of being firm in giving advice to mend their ways.