A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

19: Speech
361. Tasmā kāle akāle vā vācaṁ rakkheyya Paṇḍito,
Nātivelaṁ pabhāseyya, api attasamamhi vā.
The Wise protect their words
At the right and wrong time,
And will not talk too long,
Even to their equals.
362. Yo ca kāle mitaṁ bhāse matipubbo Vicakkhaṇo,
Sabbe amitte tarati, Supaṇṇo uragaṁ iva.
The Wise speak suitably
And in a measured way,
Having thought aforehand,
And thus defeat their foes
As bird overcomes snake.
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