Abstaining from Lying

Herein someone avoids lying and abstains from it. One speaks the truth, is devoted to the truth, reliable, worthy of confidence, not a deceiver of others. Being at a meeting or among people, or in the midst of relatives, or in society, or in the king’s court, and called upon and asked as witness to tell what one knows, one answers, if one knows nothing: “I know nothing,” and if one knows, one answers: “I know”; if one has seen nothing, one answers: “I have seen nothing,” and if one has seen, one answers: “I have seen/” Thus one never knowingly speaks a lie, either for the sake of one’s own advantage, or for the sake of another person’s advantage, or for the sake of any advantage whatsoever.

Abstaining from Tale-Bearing

One avoids tale-bearing and abstains from it. What one has heard here, one does not repeat there, so as to cause dissension there; and what one has heard there, one does not repeat here, so as to cause dissension here. Thus one unites those that are divided; and those that are united, one encourages. Concord gladdens one, one delights and rejoices in concord; and it is concord that one spreads by one’s words.

Abstaining from Harsh Language

One avoids harsh language and abstains from it. One speaks such words as are gentle, soothing to the ear, loving, such words as go to the heart, and are courteous, friendly, and agreeable to many.

Abstaining from Vain Talk

One avoids vain talk and abstains from it. One speaks at the right time, in accordance with facts, speaks what is useful, speaks of the law and the discipline; one’s speech is like a treasure, uttered at the right moment, accompanied by understanding, moderate, and full of sense.

This is called Right Speech.