So it was heard by me:

At one time Bhagavat dwelt at Sâvatthî in /G/etavana. Bhagavat said this: 'O Bhikkhus, the speech that is provided with four requisites is well-spoken, not ill-spoken, both faultless and blameless to the wise.'

'Which four?'

'O Bhikkhus, the Bhikkhu speaks well-spoken (language), not ill-spoken; he speaks what is right (dhamma), not what is unrighteous (adhamma); he speaks what is pleasing, not what is unpleasing; he speaks what is true, not what is false. O Bhikkhus, the speech that is provided with these four requisites, is well-spoken, not ill-spoken, both faultless and blameless to the wise.' This said Bhagavat. When Sugata had said this, then the Master spoke the following:

1.
'Well-spoken language the just call the principal (thing); let one speak what is right (dhamma), not what is unrighteous (adhamma), that is the second; let one speak what is pleasing, not what is unpleasing, that is the third; let one speak what is true, not what is false, that is the fourth.'

Then the venerable Va_n_gîsa, rising from his seat, throwing his robe over one shoulder and bending his joined hands towards Bhagavat, said this: 'It occurs to me, O Sugata!'

'Let it occur to thee, O Va_n_gîsa!' said Bhagavat.

Then the venerable Va_n_gîsa, standing before Bhagavat, praised him with appropriate stanzas:

Continued...

2.
'Let one say such words by which he does not pain himself, nor hurt others; such words are truly well-spoken.

3.
'Let one speak pleasing words which are received joyfully (by all), and which (saying) he, without committing sins, speaks what is pleasing to others.

4.
'Truth verily is immortal speech, this is a true saying; in what is true, in what is good, and in what is right, the just stand firm, so they say.

5.
'The words which Buddha speaks, which are sure to bring about extinction and put an end to pain, such (words) are truly the best.'

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