Guide to Moral Speaking

~ Clare

In the 8-Fold Path in Buddhism, which is the outline for achieving Nirvana, I really love the guidelines set out for “right speech”. How much this world would be a better place if every person followed these. Teach children these guidelines if you are the parent or grandparent or caregiver.

  1. No lying
  2. No abusive speech
  3. No divisive speech
  4. Use only polite speech
  5. Use speech that is pleasing to people
  6. Abandon idle chatter
  7. Be factual
  8. Speak words worth treasuring
  9. Speak words that are beneficial
  10. Even if true, don’t say anything that’s not beneficial to others
  11. Say it at the right and proper time
  12. If you feel you need to correct another person, do it in private, not in public. Don’t correct another if it is not beneficial.
  13. In every case, if it is not true, beneficial, nor timely, one is not to say it.

Also, speak calmly and with a calm voice. Say it in a nice way. All of these right ways of speaking, or discerning what is the correct thing to speak, promote peace and harmony in the world.

Furthermore, Neville Goddard tells us that speech can help mold thought and the subconscious. If you keep your speech pure, you can purify your mind, which means always speak the truth and kindly, don’t speak ill of another, no idle gossip, anger, or judgment. 

In the ten precepts of Taoism, speech guidelines are: Don’t utter bad words. Don’t use flowery and ornate language. Be straightforward within and without. Don’t commit excesses of speech. Don’t create disturbance through verbal argumentation.

It is always wonderful to express appreciation to another. Say “thank you” or verbally tell someone their role was well done, that their effort was admirable.

Since the thinking mind is a distraction from the true self, the knowing self that is ever-present and eternal, it stands to reason that endless babble and empty words are of no use. They will only distract both the speaker and the listener from being in the state of flow.

In general, right speech follows the same guideline to right action which measures whether something is of benefit to the greater good, if so, say it. If not, it is unnecessary to say.

In sum, be respectful and uplifting to others. What you send out is mirrored back to you.

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