RIGHT SPEECH - BUDDHA'S WORDS

  from the Sama~n~naphala Sutta - Digha Nikaya 2
  (The Fruits of the Contemplative Life)

  For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma 

  "Abandoning false speech, he abstains from false speech. He speaks the
  truth, holds to the truth, is firm, reliable, no deceiver of the world.
  This, too, is part of his virtue.

  "Abandoning divisive speech he abstains from divisive speech. What he
  has heard here he does not tell there to break those people apart from
  these people here. What he has heard there he does not tell here to
  break these people apart from those people there. Thus reconciling
  those who have broken apart or cementing those who are united, he loves
  concord, delights in concord, enjoys concord, speaks things that create
  concord. This, too, is part of his virtue.

  "Abandoning abusive speech, he abstains from abusive speech. He speaks
  words that are soothing to the ear, that are affectionate, that go to
  the heart, that are polite, appealing and pleasing to people at large.
  This, too, is part of his virtue.

  "Abandoning idle chatter, he abstains from idle chatter. He speaks in
  season, speaks what is factual, what is in accordance with the goal,
  the Dhamma, and the Vinaya. He speaks words worth treasuring,
  seasonable, reasonable, circumscribed, connected with the goal. 
  This, too, is part of his virtue.


  Revised: Sat 16 October 1999
  http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/digha/dn2.html