giving up false, mean, harsh, and pointless speech
"He has given up false speech and stays away from it. He speaks the truth, stays true to the truth, is trustworthy, and is not a liar.
He stops saying hurtful things and doesn't say hurtful things himself. He doesn't repeat what he hears here elsewhere to divide those people from these, and he doesn't repeat what he hears elsewhere to these people to divide them from those. Because of this, he is someone who brings people together, encourages friendships, enjoys peace, delights in peace, and speaks words that promote peace.
He stopped using harsh words and doesn't use them anymore. Instead, he uses words that are soft, pleasant to hear, and loved, that go to the heart, are kind, and are wanted by many and liked by many.
He doesn't talk about useless things. He speaks at the right time, says what is true, talks about what is good, talks about the Dhamma (Buddha's teachings) and the Discipline (moral rules). He says these things at the right time.
as are worth writing down, fair, reasonable, and helpful."
Proper speech is just one of the ten good things that people should do.
Choosing not to do the following ten things:
- Taking life,
- Sexual misconduct,
- Getting what you don't have
(What are the three good things a body can do?)
- Rude words
- Idle speech,
- Slander,
- Lying,
(What are the four good things you can say?)
- Envy,
- Ill will
(What are the three good things a mind can do?)
We can "upgrade" our abilities through spiritual practise on the step-by-step path to full enlightenment (Buddhahood) by gaining more wisdom and compassion. But we shouldn't force other people to "upgrade" their skills. We should instead find smart ways to encourage them to grow spiritually beyond what they can do now. Some people need more than just this life to "upgrade" their skills.
