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Mahavira & Precepts on Learning / 145
6. Restraint in Speech
A wise person neither speaks without being asked nor does he interfere when another person is speaking.
He does not speak about somebody in his absence and avoids deceitful untruth.
Speech is of four kinds-(a) true, (b) not true, (c) diluted, (d) conventional speech.
One should completely give up the false and diluted speech.
A
person with intellectual discrimination should not brand a blind person as blind, an eunuch, a diseased and a thief likewise for what they are.
A wise ascetic should speak what he has seen, his speech should be brief, free from ambiguity and clearly expressed.
His speech should neither be deceptive nor cause anxiety to any one.
One should not interrupt when the wise are seriously involved in scholarly discussions.
That speech is right, which purifies the conduct.
That speech is wrong, by which conduct is defamed.
That speech is proper, which is beneficial, moderate, measured and affable.
