12. Reflection Before Speaking 12.1 yadeva tvaṃ, rāhula, vācāya kammaṃ kattukāmo ahosi, tadeva te vacīkammaṃ paccavekkhitabbaṃ. Whenever, Rāhula, you are about to say something, first reflect on what you are going to say. The Buddha extends the practice of wise reflection to speech. Ethical speech begins with careful awareness before words are spoken. 12.2 ‘yannu kho ahaṃ idaṃ vācāya kammaṃ kattukāmo idaṃ me vacīkammaṃ attabyābādhāyapi saṃvatteyya, parabyābādhāyapi saṃvatteyya, ubhayabyābādhāyapi saṃvatteyya— Should I consider: ‘Might what I am about to say lead to harm for myself, harm for others, or harm for both? The Buddha encourages us to consider the effects of our words before speaking. Speech can heal or harm depending on how it is used. 12.3 akusalaṃ idaṃ vacīkammaṃ dukkhudayaṃ dukkhavipākan’ti? Is this an unwholesome speech, giving rise to dukkha and resulting in dukkha ? Words rooted in greed, hatred, or delusion inevitably create suffering for oneself and others. 12.4 sace...
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