In short: in AN 5.198 the Buddha says well-spoken speech has five factors: it is timely, true, gentle, beneficial, and spoken with a kind heart.
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.
AN 5.198, translated by Bhikkhu Sujato.
A five-question check before you speak (or post)
- Is it the right time?
- Is it true?
- Is it gentle?
- Is it beneficial?
- Is it said with love?
Right speech is the third factor of the Eightfold Path. See also the simile of the saw on how others may speak to us.
Read the full guide
The full text in Pāli and English
Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato, from SuttaCentral (AN5.198). Ellipses (…) are abbreviations in the original. Notes are ANEW's.
| Pāli | English |
|---|---|
| “Pañcahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgatā vācā subhāsitā hoti, no dubbhāsitā, anavajjā ca ananuvajjā ca viññūnaṁ. | “Mendicants, speech that has five factors is well spoken, not poorly spoken. It’s blameless and is not criticized by sensible people. |
| Katamehi pañcahi? | What five? |
| Kālena ca bhāsitā hoti, saccā ca bhāsitā hoti, saṇhā ca bhāsitā hoti, atthasaṁhitā ca bhāsitā hoti, mettacittena ca bhāsitā hoti. | It is speech that is timely, true, gentle, beneficial, and loving. |
| Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi aṅgehi samannāgatā vācā subhāsitā hoti, no dubbhāsitā, anavajjā ca ananuvajjā ca viññūnan”ti. | Speech with these five factors is well spoken, not poorly spoken. It’s blameless and is not criticized by sensible people.” |
| Aṭṭhamaṁ. |
When the truth is unwelcome: the Buddha's rule (MN 58).
Try it
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Questions people ask
What are the five factors of right speech?
Speech that is timely, true, gentle, beneficial and loving (AN 5.198).