RIGHT SPEECH
Refraining from False Speech
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False speech is unhealthy.
Refraining from false speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning false speech,
one dwells refraining from false speech, a truth-speaker, one to be
relied on, trustworthy, dependable, not a deceiver of the world. One
does not in full awareness speak falsehood for one’s own ends or for
another’s ends or for some trifling worldly end. (DN 1) One practices
thus: "Others may speak falsely, but I shall abstain from false speech."
(MN 8)
Such speech as you know to be true and correct but unbeneficial and
which is also unwelcome and disagreeable to others—do not utter such
speech. (MN 58)
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Even if
something is true, that does not mean that it should always be said. The
important point is whether or not it will be beneficial to speak. If a
person is set in their views and what you say is unlikely to make a
difference, then it is better to remain silent—all the more so if what
you say would cause distress for the other person. But if by speaking up
there is a good chance of helping them see more clearly, then go ahead
and speak.
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Every Wednesday
we give careful attention to the quality of our speech. Take on the
practice of training yourself to become ever more aware of the
truthfulness of what you say and ever more careful not to say something
misleading or false. It can seem harmless to stretch the truth in small
ways, but all speech is on a continuum from wrong speech to right
speech, and discerning this becomes subtler as you become more
skillful.
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Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Bodily Action
One week from today: Refraining from Malicious Speech
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