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"Dharma study is not something that causes suffering." He said this after thinking. Therefore, it is said that a sadhu should first observe with their intellect, understand thoughtfully, and then speak.
"That speech which, when spoken, causes regret, should not be spoken. That which is hidden should not be spoken. This is the command of the Nirgrantha." (26)
Commentary: There are four types of speech: (1) truth, (2) falsehood, (3) truth mixed with falsehood, and (4) falsehood mixed with truth. Of these, the third type of speech, truth mixed with falsehood, is one that is partly true and partly false. For example, someone might say, "Ten children were born or died in this village." It is possible that the number of children born or died could be less or more than ten. Therefore, due to the discrepancy in the number, this statement is both true and false.
A sadhu should not speak in such a way that, due to the fault arising from that speech, they suffer in future births, or experience regret later, thinking, "Why did I speak like that?"
The point is that even the third type of speech, mixed with falsehood, is harmful. What then to say of the second type of speech, falsehood, which contradicts the entire meaning? Even the first type of speech, truth, is not to be spoken if it causes suffering to beings, as it is connected to fault. The fourth type of speech, falsehood mixed with truth, is not used by the wise, and therefore should not be spoken.
Even truth can sometimes cause harm. The author says, "For example, 'Kill him, he is a thief,' 'Cut the crops,' 'Subdue the oxen of the chariot,' etc. These are true statements, but they cause harm."
Or, "That which is hidden, that which is concealed by people with great effort, even if it is true, should not be spoken."
"This command" - this teaching - is of the Nirgrantha Bhagwan Mahavira. (26)