Numbered Discourses 4.221 23. Bad Conduct Verbal Conduct (AN4.221)

1.1

“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, vacīduccaritāni.

“Mendicants, there are these four kinds of bad conduct by way of speech.

1.2

Katamāni cattāri?

What four?

1.3

Musāvādo, pisuṇā vācā, pharusā vācā, samphappalāpo—

Speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical.

1.4

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri vacīduccaritāni.

These are the four kinds of bad conduct by way of speech.

1.5

Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, vacīsucaritāni.

There are these four kinds of good conduct by way of speech.

1.6

Katamāni cattāri?

What four?

1.7

Saccavācā, apisuṇā vācā, saṇhā vācā, mantavācā—

Speech that’s true, harmonious, gentle, and thoughtful.

1.8

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri vacīsucaritānī”ti.

These are the four kinds of good conduct by way of speech.”

1.9

Paṭhamaṁ.