{"collection":"Khuddaka Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_snp3.3/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_snp3.3","id":"suttacentral_snp3.3","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/snp3.3/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Khuddaka Nikaya"],"text":"So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near S\u0101vatth\u012b in Jeta\u2019s Grove, An\u0101thapi\u1e47\u1e0dika\u2019s monastery. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, \u201cMendicants!\u201d \u201cVenerable sir,\u201d they replied. The Buddha said this: \u201cMendicants, speech that has four factors is well spoken, not poorly spoken. It\u2019s blameless and is not criticized by sensible people. What four? It\u2019s when a mendicant speaks well, not poorly; their speech is principled, not unprincipled; they speak pleasantly, not unpleasantly; and they speak truthfully, not falsely. Speech with these four factors is well spoken, not poorly spoken. It\u2019s blameless and is not criticized by sensible people.\u201d That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say: \u201cGood people say well-spoken words are foremost; second, speech ought be principled, not unprincipled; third, speak pleasantly, not unpleasantly; and fourth, speak truthfully, not falsely.\u201d Then Venerable Va\u1e45g\u012bsa rose from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, raised his cupped palms toward the Buddha, and said, \u201cI feel inspired to speak, Blessed One! I feel inspired to speak, Holy One!\u201d \u201cThen speak as you feel inspired,\u201d said the Buddha. Then Va\u1e45g\u012bsa extolled the Buddha in his presence with fitting verses: \u201cSpeak only those words that do not hurt yourself nor harm others; such speech is truly well spoken. Speak only pleasing words, words gladly welcomed. Pleasing words are those that bring nothing bad to others. Truth itself is undying speech: this is an ancient teaching. Good people say the teaching and meaning are grounded in truth. The words spoken by the Buddha for finding the sanctuary, extinguishment, for making an end of suffering, this really is the best kind of speech.\u201d","title":"Well-Spoken Words","tradition":"Khuddaka Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":279}