Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgatā vācā subhāsitā hoti, no dubbhāsitā, anavajjā ca ananuvajjā ca viññūnaṃ.

“Speech, Bhikkhus, that is well spoken and not badly spoken, that is faultless and not blameworthy to the wise, should be endowed with five characteristics.

Katamehi pañcahi?

What are the five?

Kālena ca bhāsitā hoti,

saccā ca bhāsitā hoti,

saṇhā ca bhāsitā hoti,

atthasaṃhitā ca bhāsitā hoti,

mettacittena ca bhāsitā hoti.

It should be spoken at the proper time,

it should be spoken truthfully,

it should be spoken gently,

it should be connected with advantage

and should be spoken with a mind full of metta.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi aṅgehi samannāgatā vācā subhāsitā hoti, no dubbhāsitā, anavajjā ca ananuvajjā ca viññūnan”ti.

These, Bhikkhus, are the five characteristics that speech should be endowed with if well-spoken and not badly spoken, that is faultless and not blameworthy to the wise.”