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"And what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, from
divisive speech, from abusive speech, & from idle chatter: This is called
right speech." — SN XLV.8
Right Speech Means
Right Speech means to abstain from lying, tale-carrying,
use of harsh
language and vain talk. The person who follows right speech
speaks the truth, is devoted to it, is reliable and does not deceive men.
Whenever he was asked to be a witness, he tells only the truth he knows or
admits his ignorance of it honestly.
He never speaks a lie either for his own benefit or for
that of others. He refrains from carrying tales. He never repeats what he
heard at one place so as to cause differences among men. Thus he reunites the
people who are divided or strengthens the unity of those that are united.
He is happy to see agreement and harmony among people and
these are the qualities which he spreads among people through his words. He
does not speak harsh language. He speaks words that are gentle, soothing to
hear, loving, touching the heart, courteous, affectionate and agreeable to
many.
He does not indulge in vain talk. He speaks at the right
time, the facts he knows, only that which is useful, about the Dhamma and the
discipline. His speech is very precious like a treasure, coming at the right
moment followed by moderate and sensible arguments.
This is the right speech.
Two Kinds of Right speech
1. The Mundane Right Speech which is to abstain from
lying, tale-carrying, harsh language and vain talk. It leads to worldly gains
and brings good results.
2. The Ultra Mundane Right Speech is abhorrence of the
four-fold wrong speech and abstaining from it, practising it mentally and
keeping the mind holy, to remain other worldly and to follow the holy path in
conjunction with the Eightfold path. This path is not of this world, but
ultra mundane
Five keys to right speech
"Monks, a statement endowed with five factors is
well-spoken, not ill-spoken. It is blameless & unfaulted by
knowledgeable people. Which five?
"It is spoken at the right time. It is spoken in truth.
It is spoken affectionately. It is spoken beneficially. It is spoken with
a mind of good-will."
What words you should speak
"One should speak only that word by which one would not
torment oneself nor harm others. That word is indeed well spoken.
"One should speak only pleasant words, words which are
acceptable (to others). What one speaks without bringing evils to others
is pleasant."
Putting Right Speech to Practice
"And how is one made pure in four ways by verbal action?
"There is the case where a certain person, abandoning
false speech, abstains from false speech. When he has been called to a town
meeting, a group meeting, a gathering of his relatives, his guild, or of the
royalty, if he is asked as a witness, 'Come & tell, good man, what you
know': If he doesn't know, he says, 'I don't know.' If he does know, he
says, 'I know.' If he hasn't seen, he says, 'I haven't seen.' If he has
seen, he says, 'I have seen.' Thus he doesn't consciously tell a lie for his
own sake, for the sake of another, or for the sake of any reward. Abandoning
false speech, he abstains from false speech. He speaks the truth, holds to
the truth, is firm, reliable, no deceiver of the world.
"Abandoning divisive speech he abstains from divisive
speech. What he has heard here he does not tell there to break those people
apart from these people here. What he has heard there he does not tell here
to break these people apart from those people there. Thus reconciling those
who have broken apart or cementing those who are united, he loves concord,
delights in concord, enjoys concord, speaks things that create concord.
"Abandoning abusive speech, he abstains from abusive
speech. He speaks words that are soothing to the ear, that are affectionate,
that go to the heart, that are polite, appealing & pleasing to people at
large.
"Abandoning idle chatter, he abstains from idle chatter.
He speaks in season, speaks what is factual, what is in accordance with the goal,
the Dhamma, & the Vinaya. He speaks words worth treasuring, seasonable,
reasonable, circumscribed, connected with the goal.
"This is how one is made pure in four ways by verbal
action." Anguttara Nikaya X.176
Also see Right Speech by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
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