The Buddha teaches on lying, presenting a fourfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 4.267 Lying

…pe… Attanā ca musāvādī hoti, parañca musāvāde samādapeti, musāvāde ca samanuñño hoti, musāvādassa ca vaṇṇaṁ bhāsatiimehi kho …pe….

Attanā ca musāvādā paṭivirato hoti, parañca musāvādā veramaṇiyā samādapeti, musāvādā veramaṇiyā ca samanuñño hoti, musāvādā veramaṇiyā ca vaṇṇaṁ bhāsatiimehi …pe….

Catutthaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

…pe… Attanā ca musāvādī hoti, parañca musāvāde samādapeti, musāvāde ca samanuñño hoti, musāvādassa ca vaṇṇaṁ bhāsatiimehi kho …pe….

“… They themselves lie …

Attanā ca musāvādā paṭivirato hoti, parañca musāvādā veramaṇiyā samādapeti, musāvādā veramaṇiyā ca samanuñño hoti, musāvādā veramaṇiyā ca vaṇṇaṁ bhāsatiimehi …pe….

… They don’t themselves lie …”

Catutthaṁ.

Qualities:

Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Wrong speech

Wrong speech

Speech that deceives, divides, wounds, or wastes. It includes lying, slander, harshness, and idle chatter. Such speech distorts truth, breaks trust, and stirs the mind toward harm and discord.

Also known as: false speech, lying, divisive, slanderous or defamatory or malicious speech, abusive or rude or unkind way of speaking, meaningless talk or idle chatter or gossip
Pāli: musāvāda, pisuṇavācā, pharusāvācā, samphappalāpa
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Last updated on July 27, 2026