Entries by Venerable Wuling (2175)
August 25, 2019 I resolve not to use false speech.
Instead, I will speak the truth
in a wise way and at the right time.
False speech is more than outright lying, more than voicing a wrong statement. For instance, denying taking something when we did.
False speech can be exaggerating the retelling of what happened. Maybe in the hope of making a funny event more entertaining. Or making a trivial incident more noteworthy.
False speech can be presenting information in a biased, distorted way to mislead the listener. It can be deliberately deceitful. Or appear harmless. Perhaps stemming from the wish to not hurt others’ feelings or to save them embarrassment.
Know this: false speech is just that, for it lumbers the listener with misinformation. We need instead to speak in a way that others find trustworthy, acceptable, and safe to act on. Truthful speech requires a calm mind. It entails respect for those who hear what we say. It stems from sensitivity.
And sometimes even courage.
