Part 6 - Vacavagga - Speech

46. Purisassa hi jatassa
kuthari jayate mukhe
yaya chindati attanam
balo dubbhasitam bhanam.

Every fool who is born
has an axe within his mouth
with which he cuts himself
when he uses wrong speech.

47. Tam eva vacam bhaseyya
yay'attanam na tapaye
pare ca na vihimseyya
sa ve vaca subhasita.

One should utter only words
which do no harm to oneself
and cause no harm for others:
that is truly beautiful speech.

48. Piyavacam eva bhaseyya
ya vaca patinandita
yam anadaya papani
paresam bhasate piyam.

Speak kind words, words
rejoiced at and welcomed,
words that bear ill-will to none;
always speak kindly to others.

49. Tass'eva tena papiyo
yo kuddham patikujjhati
kuddham appatikujjhanto
sangamam jeti dujjayam.

The worse of the two is he
who, when abused, retaliates.
One who does not retaliate
wins a battle hard to win.

50. Jayam ve maññati balo
vacaya pharusam bhanam
jayañc'ev'assa tam hoti
ya titikkha vijanato.

The fool thinks he has won a battle
when he bullies with harsh speech,
but knowing how to be forbearing
alone makes one victorious.

51. Yam samano bahu bhasati
upetam atthasamhi tam
janam so dhammam deseti
janam so bahu bhasati.

When the recluse speaks much
it is only to speak about the goal.
Knowingly he teaches the Dhamma,
knowingly he speaks much.

52. Yo ve na byadhati patva
parisam uggahavadinam
na ca hapeti vacanam
na ca chadeti sasanam.

If one addresses those who wish
to learn, without wavering, imparting
understanding, opening up and not
obscuring the teaching.

53. Asanditthañ ca bhanati
pucchito na ca kuppati
sa ve tadisako bhikkhu
duteyyam gantum arahati.

Speaking without hesitation nor
getting angry when asked a question,
a monk like this is worthy
to proclaim the teachings.

54. Nabhasamanam jananti
missam balehi panditam
bhasamanañ ca jananti
desentam amatam padam
bhasaye jotaye dhammam
pagganhe isinam dhajam.

If he does not speak up, others know
him not; he is just a wise man mixed
up with fools. But if he speaks about
and teaches the Deathless, others will
know him. So let him light up the Dhamma,
let him lift the sage's banner high.

55. Yam buddho bhasati vacam
khemam nibbanapattiya
dukkhass 'antakiriyaya
sa ve vacanam uttama.

The Buddha speaks words that lead
to the winning of security, the ending
of sorrow and the attaining of Nibbana.
Truly, this is the speech supreme.