________________
276
THE WAY OF LIFE
know that brevity is the soul of wit. People keep talking endlessly. They go on speaking everywhere and they interfere with and obstruct every conversation. They speak about the things they know and also speak of the things they do not know. Keeping silent is more difficult than fasting. In this world, many calamities and many dissensions are brought about by those who speak excessively and unnecessarily. Where should one speak? How much should one say? What should one say? Most people do not know these things; yet they cannot keep quiet. This is ignobility or indecency. This propensity will not bring glory to a noble householder.
LEARN TO SPEAK WHAT IS RELEVANT AND WHAT IS RELEVANT TO THE CONTEXT
Quarrels arise if you speak unnecessarily in a situation where silence is necessary. Suppose there is a young man who has the habit of speaking unnecessarily and poking his nose into others' affairs. He speaks unnecessarily in his house and in his shop. He cannot have peace of mind if he does not speak thus. He speaks and interferes with the affairs of his brother and sister-in-law. He interferes also with the affairs of his mother and father. He interferes also in the affairs of his brothers. The consequence of all this is that the young man will be disliked in the family. Nobody would like to listen to him. He complains, "Nobody listens to me; nobody cares for my words!" Who would listen to such a man? Actually, when others are conversing you should not speak unless you are asked to express your opinion. In the same manner; when the conversation is going on about an occupation, you should not speak of domestic affairs. When a conversation is taking place on domestic affairs, you should not speak of an occupation or a profession. When the conversation is going on about the temple, you should not speak of Sadhus or other matters. That means, you should speak only when your opinion is relevant to the context.
Noble people are cautious in their speech. They practise self-restraint in this matter. They speak very little. That means, they say what is necessary and relevant to the context.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
