- Numbered Discourses 5.198 Aṅguttara Nikāya 5.198
- 20. Brahmins 20. Brāhmaṇavagga
Well-Spoken Words Vācāsutta
“Mendicants, speech that has five factors is well spoken, not poorly spoken. It’s blameless and is not criticized by sensible people. “Pañcahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgatā vācā subhāsitā hoti, no dubbhāsitā, anavajjā ca ananuvajjā ca viññūnaṁ. What five? Katamehi pañcahi? It is speech that is timely, true, gentle, beneficial, and loving. Kālena ca bhāsitā hoti, saccā ca bhāsitā hoti, saṇhā ca bhāsitā hoti, atthasaṁhitā ca bhāsitā hoti, mettacittena ca bhāsitā hoti. Speech with these five factors is well spoken, not poorly spoken. It’s blameless and is not criticized by sensible people.” Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi aṅgehi samannāgatā vācā subhāsitā hoti, no dubbhāsitā, anavajjā ca ananuvajjā ca viññūnan”ti.
Aṭṭhamaṁ.