RIGHT SPEECH
Refraining from Malicious Speech
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Malicious speech is
unhealthy. Refraining from malicious speech is healthy. (MN 9)
Abandoning malicious speech, one refrains from malicious speech. One
does not repeat there what one has heard here to the detriment of these,
or repeat here what he has heard there to the detriment of those. One
unites those who are divided, is a promoter of friendships, and speaks
words that promote concord. (DN 1) One practices thus: “Others may speak
maliciously, but I shall abstain from malicious speech.” (MN 8)
Disputes occur when a person is envious and avaricious. Such a person
dwells disrespectful and undeferential toward others, causing harm and
unhappiness for many. If you see any such root of a dispute either in
yourself or externally, you should strive to abandon it. And if you do
not see any such root of dispute either in yourself or externally, you
should practice in such a way that it does not erupt in the future. (MN
104)
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Malicious
speech separates, while right speech unites. It is unhealthy to separate
and healthy to unite, both individually and collectively. The world as a
whole suffers when people divide one group from another and benefits
when we have a sense of shared purpose. Envy and avarice can only occur
when people are separate from one another, for only then does it feel
like others have something that you do not.
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See if you can
break down the distinctions between yourself and others so that you are
content with whatever you have and feel no envy or yearning for what
others have. Practice this attitude in your mode of speech, praising
instead of blaming when others possess something you do not. Learn to
say “us” and “ours” more than “me” and “mine.” Disputes and quarrels
thrive on separation; harmony breeds peace.
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Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Verbal Action
One week from today: Refraining from Harsh Speech
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