10 Good Speech

In our interaction with others, we should talk gently and politely.

This will enhance our relationships with others. If everyone does so, this will foster a healthy social climate and promote social harmony.

Buddha had advised us to purify our vocal conduct by speaking prudently and refrain from speaking recklessly. Otherwise, many interpersonal problems will arise and the karmic results of one’s own unwholesome speech will be dreadful.

How should one’s purify one’s verbal conduct? One should speak gently using pleasant words. The wording and phrasing should be appropriate and natural. The speech of one who speaks skilfully is very pleasant to the ear, with words that seems to have been carefully chosen.

One who is not skilful in speech fails to make favourable impressions upon others; due to his coarse language and words that grate on the ear.

If a person refrains from using abusive speech, he will certainly be gentle and pleasant in temperament, as well as amiable in his interactions with others. His speech will certainly be refined and pleasant to the ear.

How should one’s purify one’s verbal conduct? One’s words must accord with truth and reason. When one is even-tempered and good-humoured, one’s speech is not only gentle and polite, but also reasonable.

If one’s speaks unreasonably, others will not be willing to listen to you.

If a person often uses abusive speech, the fire of fury often rages within him. With his sense of reason clouded by anger, his speech could hardly accord with reason at all.

If a person refrains from abusive speech, his words will certainly accord with truth and reason, so others will listen to him readily.