Right Speech: The Power of Kind Words & Lasting Merit
Gentle words are universally loved
Remember—sweet speech pleases everyone, while rough and sharp words alienate everyone. If someone speaks to you with bitter, cutting words—constantly scorning and cursing—you feel hurt. Therefore, never be impolite, never slander, and do not speak in a harsh or stinging manner.
Harsh speech harms the speaker first
When harsh words are spoken with a violent intent, they bring ruin upon the speaker. They weigh down the mind, darken the future, and destroy one’s accrued merit. Children, women, and men alike enjoy hearing sweet and melodious words, while bad language wounds the heart. Train your mind to speak gently; over time it will become naturally sweet and wholesome. Then it will neither speak bitterness nor cause harm, nor will it wish harm for anyone.
When insulted, endure—and choose welfare
If someone abuses you, speaks harshly or angrily, spreads false defamation, or uses words that degrade living beings—bear it. As the Buddha taught: this forbearance leads to welfare. Those who wound others with arrows of speech fill their own souls with deep pain and unrest. They craft their own misfortune; their merits and demerits curse them, and they must face those bitter results. Knowing this, answer with goodwill—regard their loss of merit and respond with your welfare.
Do not be shaken by rough words
One who is rooted in patience is not truly distressed by bitter or harsh words. If you hear abuse, do not let your peace be disturbed. The patient person’s merits ripen; in time, they become the heir to great happiness. Therefore, do not take sorrow—choose their welfare instead.
Ill-gotten gains are not proof of virtue
In these times, those who practice deceit, fraud, theft, violence, and falsehood may still enjoy wealth due to past actions. But the wealth they possess today is not the fruit of their present sin. Their current wrongdoing will certainly bear fruit—if not in this life, then in the future, in one way or another. Do not walk the crooked path or seek its rewards; do not burden your mind in age or sickness with such weights.
Merit is the true jewel of life
A life of virtue and worthiness is the precious gem of real living. Worldly wealth, status, and power keep changing; but merit, peace, and genuine upliftment are lasting. The fruit of good deeds is always noble and bliss-bringing; worthiness and quality are the truest wealth.