Aṇguttara 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 Suttaṃ
The Word[1]
Translated by E. M. Hare
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[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.
[3] Job xli, 3; Proverbs xv, 1.
