SN 8.5 Well-Spoken Words -

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:

There the Buddha addressed the mendicants,

“bhikkhavo”ti.

“Mendicants!”

“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.

“Venerable sir,” they replied.

Bhagavā etadavoca:

The Buddha said this:

“Catūhi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgatā vācā subhāsitā hoti, no dubbhāsitā; anavajjā ca ananuvajjā ca viññūnaṁ.

“Mendicants, speech that has four factors is well spoken, not poorly spoken. It’s blameless and is not criticized by sensible people.

Katamehi catūhi?

What four?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu subhāsitaṁyeva bhāsati no dubbhāsitaṁ, dhammaṁyeva bhāsati no adhammaṁ, piyaṁyeva bhāsati no appiyaṁ, saccaṁyeva bhāsati no alikaṁ.

It’s when a mendicant speaks well, not poorly; their speech is principled, not unprincipled; they speak pleasantly, not unpleasantly; and they speak truthfully, not falsely.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi aṅgehi samannāgatā vācā subhāsitā hoti, no dubbhāsitā, anavajjā ca ananuvajjā ca viññūnan”ti.

Speech with these four factors is well spoken, not poorly spoken. It’s blameless and is not criticized by sensible people.”

Idamavoca bhagavā.

That is what the Buddha said.

Idaṁ vatvāna sugato athāparaṁ etadavoca satthā:

Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

“Subhāsitaṁ uttamamāhu santo,

“Good people say well-spoken words are foremost;

Dhammaṁ bhaṇe nādhammaṁ taṁ dutiyaṁ;

second, speech ought be principled, not unprincipled;

Piyaṁ bhaṇe nāppiyaṁ taṁ tatiyaṁ,

third, speak pleasantly, not unpleasantly;

Saccaṁ bhaṇe nālikaṁ taṁ catutthan”ti.

and fourth, speak truthfully, not falsely.”

Atha kho āyasmā vaṅgīso uṭṭhāyāsanā ekaṁsaṁ uttarāsaṅgaṁ karitvā yena bhagavā tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

Then Venerable Vaṅgīsa rose from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, raised his cupped palms toward the Buddha, and said,

“paṭibhāti maṁ, bhagavā, paṭibhāti maṁ, sugatā”ti.

“I feel inspired to speak, Blessed One! I feel inspired to speak, Holy One!”

“Paṭibhātu taṁ, vaṅgīsā”ti bhagavā avoca.

“Then speak as you feel inspired,” said the Buddha.

Atha kho āyasmā vaṅgīso bhagavantaṁ sammukhā sāruppāhi gāthāhi abhitthavi:

Then Vaṅgīsa extolled the Buddha in his presence with fitting verses:

“Tameva vācaṁ bhāseyya,

“Speak only such words

yāyattānaṁ na tāpaye;

as do not hurt yourself

Pare ca na vihiṁseyya,

nor harm others;

sā ve vācā subhāsitā.

such speech is truly well spoken.

Piyavācaṁva bhāseyya,

Speak only pleasing words,

yā vācā paṭinanditā;

words gladly welcomed.

Yaṁ anādāya pāpāni,

Pleasing words are those

paresaṁ bhāsate piyaṁ.

that bring nothing bad to others.

Saccaṁ ve amatā vācā,

Truth itself is undying speech:

esa dhammo sanantano;

this is an ancient teaching.

Sacce atthe ca dhamme ca,

Good people say the teaching and meaning

āhu santo patiṭṭhitā.

are grounded in truth.

Yaṁ buddho bhāsate vācaṁ,

The words spoken by the Buddha

khemaṁ nibbānapattiyā;

for finding the sanctuary, extinguishment,

Dukkhassantakiriyāya,

for making an end of suffering:

sā ve vācānamuttamā”ti.

this really is the best kind of speech.”