Aṅguttara Nikāya


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Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka-Nipāta
XX. Brāhmaṇa Vagga

The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
Chapter XX: The Brāman

Sutta 198

Subhā-Sita-Vācā Suttaɱ

The Word[1]

Translated by E. M. Hare

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[178]

[1][than][olds] Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One dwelt near Sāvatthī;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

'Yes, lord,' they replied; and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, if a word have five marks,
it is well spoken,
not ill spoken,
nor is it blameworthy
nor blameable by the wise.

It is spoken in season,[2]
it is spoken in truth,
it is spoken softly,[3]
it is spoken about the goal,
it is spoken in amity.

Verily, monks, if a word have these five marks,
it is well spoken,
not ill spoken,
nor is it blameworthy
nor blameable by the wise/

 


[1] Cf. above, § 107, also Sn. p. 78; S. i, 188.

[2] Cf. Proverbs xv, 23: 'A word spoken in due season, how good it is!'

Job 41.3: Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
Proverbs, 15.1: A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
K.J.V.

p.p. explains it all — p.p.

[3] Job xli, 3; Proverbs xv, 1.


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