The Buddha teaches on wrong speech, presenting a fivefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 5.119 Wrong Speech

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgatā bhikkhunī yathābhataṁ nikkhittā evaṁ niraye. Katamehi pañcahi? Ananuvicca apariyogāhetvā avaṇṇārahassa vaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, ananuvicca apariyogāhetvā vaṇṇārahassa avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, micchāvācā ca hoti, micchākammantā ca, saddhādeyyaṁ vinipāteti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgatā bhikkhunī yathābhataṁ nikkhittā evaṁ niraye.

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgatā bhikkhunī yathābhataṁ nikkhittā evaṁ sagge. Katamehi pañcahi? Anuvicca pariyogāhetvā avaṇṇārahassa avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, anuvicca pariyogāhetvā vaṇṇārahassa vaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, sammāvācā ca hoti, sammākammantā ca, saddhādeyyaṁ na vinipāteti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgatā bhikkhunī yathābhataṁ nikkhittā evaṁ sagge”ti.

Navamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgatā bhikkhunī yathābhataṁ nikkhittā evaṁ niraye.

“Mendicants, a nun with five qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

Katamehi pañcahi?

What five?

Ananuvicca apariyogāhetvā avaṇṇārahassa vaṇṇaṁ bhāsati,

Without examining or scrutinizing, she praises those deserving of criticism,

ananuvicca apariyogāhetvā vaṇṇārahassa avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati,

and criticizes those deserving of praise.

micchāvācā ca hoti,

She has wrong speech

micchākammantā ca,

and wrong action,

saddhādeyyaṁ vinipāteti.

and wastes gifts given in faith.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgatā bhikkhunī yathābhataṁ nikkhittā evaṁ niraye.

A nun with these five qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgatā bhikkhunī yathābhataṁ nikkhittā evaṁ sagge.

A nun with five qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there.

Katamehi pañcahi?

What five?

Anuvicca pariyogāhetvā avaṇṇārahassa avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati,

After examining and scrutinizing, she criticizes those deserving of criticism,

anuvicca pariyogāhetvā vaṇṇārahassa vaṇṇaṁ bhāsati,

and praises those deserving of praise.

sammāvācā ca hoti,

She has right speech

sammākammantā ca,

and right action,

saddhādeyyaṁ na vinipāteti.

and doesn’t waste gifts given in faith.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgatā bhikkhunī yathābhataṁ nikkhittā evaṁ sagge”ti.

A nun with these five qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there.”

Navamaṁ.

Qualities:

Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

A disciplined way of living grounded in harmlessness and integrity. Ethical conduct restrains the body and speech from harm, purifies behavior, and forms the foundation for collectedness and wisdom.

Also known as: moral integrity, right action, virtue
Pāli: sīla, sammākammanta
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Faith

Faith

Confidence in the Buddha's awakening and the efficacy of the path. It brightens and steadies the mind, removing doubt and inspiring energy toward wholesome practice. True faith rests on clarity and direct experience rather than mere belief.

Also known as: confidence, trust, belief, conviction, self-assurance
Pāli: saddha, pasanna
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Right speech

Right speech

Speech that is purified by abstaining from falsehood, divisive talk, harsh words, and idle chatter.

Also known as: truthful speech, honest speech, kind speech, beneficial speech, harmonious speech, articulate words, eloquent communication
Pāli: sammāvācā
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Unprincipled conduct

Unprincipled conduct

Conduct that disregards moral restraint and ignores the consequences of harm done to oneself or others through body or speech. Such behavior clouds the mind and leads to regret and further decline.

Also known as: lacking in moral principles, lacking in ethics, immoral, wrong action
Pāli: dussīlya, micchākammanta
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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