A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

19: Speech
SN 1.6.9 Tudubrahmasuttaṁ
The Dangers of Wrong Speech
The High Divinity Tudu approaches Ven.
Kokālika and advises him to have respect for the
two Chief Disciples, but he is rebuked by the
Venerable who is intent on blaming them.
363. Purisassa hi jātassa, kuṭhārī jāyate mukhe,
Yāya chindati attānaṁ bālo, dubbhāsitaṁ bhaṇaṁ.
When a man is born in this world,
There is a hatchet in his mouth,
With that the fool cuts himself up,
Speaking what is badly spoken.
364. Yo nindīyaṁ pasaṁsati,
Taṁ vā nindati yo pasaṁsiyo,
Vicināti mukhena so kaliṁ,
Kalinā tena sukhaṁ na vindati.
He who praises the blameworthy,
And he who blames the praiseworthy,
Piles up bad fortune with his tongue,
And therefore finds no happiness.
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