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 one 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 deceitful and fraudulent. Such a person
dwells disrespectful and undeferential towards 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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Arguments and
disputes do not come from external circumstances, but from the internal
qualities of people’s minds. When there is a competing interest, for
example, it might be negotiated peacefully and fairly, or it might
escalate into a hateful argument and even become violent. The difference
lies in what kind of internal mental and emotional states are brought
to the table by both participants. We can influence how this unfolds.
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Take special
care to refrain from being deceitful or fraudulent in all of your
dealings with other people. And when other people are exhibiting these
qualities, try hard not to be provoked into doing the same. These
practices in daily life require a regular habit of being tuned in to the
workings of your own mind and being sensitive to the extent your own
experience is impacted by the mental and emotional qualities of others.
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Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Verbal Action
One week from today: Refraining from Harsh Speech
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