A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

19: Speech
Jā 331 Kokālikajātakaṁ
Correct and Timely Speech
A young cuckoo is being fostered by a crow but
gives his identity away when he cries out. The
crow kills him and throws him out of the nest.
359. Yo ve kāle asampatte, ativelaṁ pabhāsati,
Evaṁ so nihato seti, kokilāyi va atrajo.
He who talks for too long
And talks at the wrong time,
Like the cuckoo's fledgling,
He is quickly destroyed.
360. Na hi satthaṁ sunisitaṁ, visaṁ halāhalām-iva,
Evaṁ nikaṭṭhe pāteti vācā dubbhāsitā yathā.
Neither a sharpened sword,
Nor can deadly poison,
Destroy quite as quickly
As badly spoken words.
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