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The third branch of the ‘Eightfold Path‘ is ‘Right Speech’ … the first of three branches devoted to ‘Ethical Conduct’ (SÄ«la) …
Our words have power to be weapons or constructive tools, to help or hurt others, express care or disdain, make enemies or friends, start wars or bring peace.
The Buddha advised that we should …
… abstain from false speech, especially deliberate lies …
… abstain from slanderous speech and words used maliciously against others …
… abstain from harsh words that offend or hurt others …
… abstain from idle gossip.
This means that we should, as best we can amid the complexities of life, seek to tell the truth, to speak friendly, warm and gently, and to be careful in our words.
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