Right Speech is one of the elements of the Buddhist Eightfold Path and deals with a person making the best use of their words. It is amazing what power our words have, to hurt or heal, to upset or inspire, or to break us apart or bring us together. Right Speech is about taking care to always speak the truth and to make sure what you have to say is beneficial to everyone who hears it. Here are some pointers that I think are helpful:
- Abandon false speech : Speak the truth, hold to the truth, be firm, reliable, and deceive no one
- Abandon divisive speech : Do not tell what you have heard to break apart people. Reconcile those who have broken apart and cement those who are united, speak things that create concord
- Abandon abusive speech : Speak words that are soothing to the ear, that are affectionate, that go to the heart, that are polite, appealing and pleasing to people at large
- Abandon idle chatter : Speak in season, speak what is factual, what is worth treasuring, and what is reasonable
- If your words are unfactual, untrue, unbeneficial, unendearing and disagreeable to others, don't say them.
- If your words are factual, true, unbeneficial, unendearing and disagreeable to others, don't say them.
- If your words are factual, true, beneficial, but unendearing and disagreeable to others, have a sense of the proper time for saying them.
- If your words are unfactual, untrue, unbeneficial, but endearing and agreeable to others, don't say them.
- If your words are factual, true, unbeneficial, but endearing and agreeable to others, don't say them.
- If your words are factual, true, beneficial, and endearing and agreeable to others, have a sense of the proper time for saying them
