In short: the Buddha taught that words have weight: "Don't speak harshly, they may speak harshly back. For aggressive speech is painful, and the rod may spring back on you" (Dhammapada 133). Good speech is "timely, true, gentle, beneficial" and spoken with love (AN 5.198). Here are seven genuine quotes on speech, each with its source.
1. Dhammapada 133
"Don't speak harshly, they may speak harshly back. For aggressive speech is painful, and the rod may spring back on you."
2. Dhammapada 100
"Better than a thousand meaningless sayings is a single meaningful saying, hearing which brings you peace."
3. Dhammapada 224
"Speak the truth, do not be angry, and give when asked, if only a little. By these three means, you may enter the presence of the gods."
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4. Dhammapada 232
"Guard against ill-tempered words, be restrained in speech. Giving up bad verbal conduct, conduct yourself well in speech."
5. Dhammapada 363
"When a mendicant of restrained mouth, thoughtful in counsel, not restless, explains the text and its meaning, their words are sweet."
6. Dhammapada 176
"When a personage, spurning the hereafter, transgresses in just one thing— lying— there is no evil they would not do."
On lying: one lie opens the door to everything else.
7. AN 5.198
"Mendicants, speech that has five factors is well spoken, not poorly spoken. It's blameless and is not criticized by sensible people. What five? It is speech that is timely, true, gentle, beneficial, and loving."
All quotes are from the early Buddhist texts in Bhikkhu Sujato's translation on SuttaCentral, copied exactly. Last checked: 17 October 2026.
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What did the Buddha say about words?
'Don't speak harshly, they may speak harshly back. For aggressive speech is painful, and the rod may spring back on you' (Dhammapada 133).