Hitam Mitam Priyam Satyam – the hallmarks of “Right Speech”

Right Speech is one of Buddha’s Eightfold path. And in the world we live today speech / speaking forms a large part of the communication that we have with the world.

Here’s a simple and handy checklist to follow for moderating one’s speech to get it ‘right’

1.  Mitam ???? – measured (brevity)
2. Satyam ????? - truthful
3. Hitam ???? - Beneficial
4. Priyam ?????? - pleasant

I wouldn’t dwell on the benefits of the four checks ‘cos that shall be passe. I would just share the questions that I ask myself before I speak / write / whatsapp / text .

Check # 1

Mitam ???? – measured (brevity)

Remember not only to say the right think in the right place, but — far more important still — to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. (Benjamin Franklin)

Ask yourself

·        “Is it necessary?”

·        How much is necessary?

Check # 2

satyam: ????? – truthful

Mark Twain said “The best thing about telling the truth is that you do not have to remember what you said”

Ask yourself

·        Is it true?

·        Have I checked the source?

Check # 3

hitam: ???? – Beneficial

“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” said Viktor Frankl and that which does not have purpose should not be done.

Ask yourself

1. Will it benefit the listener with what I speak and how I speak?
2. Will it serve the purpose?

Check # 4

priyam: ?????? – pleasant

And the Bhagwadgita says

??????????? ?????? ????? ????????? ? ??? | (17.15) That speech (??????) which does not cause agitation (???????????), is truthful (?????) and is pleasant and beneficial (?????????) is the right speech

So ask yourself

·        Is it pleasant what I have to share?

·        If what I share is not pleasant can I share it pleasantly?

And if what you have to say gets a tick in all the boxes – go right ahead. If not ……..think it over!