Right speech

Right speech, in Buddhism, is speech that is true, trustworthy, well spoken, pleasing to the ear, spoken at the right time, spoken with the right intention.

Quotes

• Abandoning false speech, the ascetic Gotama dwells refraining from false speech, a truth-speaker, one to be relied on, trustworthy, dependable, not a deceiver of the world. Abandoning malicious speech, he does not repeat there what he has heard here to the detriment of these, or repeat here what he has heard there to the detriment of those. Thus he is a reconciler of those at variance and an encourager of those at one, rejoicing in peace, loving it, delighting in it, one who speaks up for peace. Abandoning harsh speech, he refrains from it. He speaks whatever is blameless, pleasing to the ear, agreeable, reaching the heart, urbane, pleasing and attractive to the multitude. Abandoning idle chatter, he speaks at the right time, what is correct and to the point, of Dhamma and discipline. He is a speaker whose words are to be treasured, seasonable, reasoned, well-defined and connected with the goal.
  • Gautama Buddha, Digha Nikaya, as translated by M. Walshe (1987), Sutta 1 (Brahmajala Sutta (Theravada)), verse 1.9, pp. 68-69

See also

• Right livelihood