Four Kinds of Truthful Speech and False Speech

The Buddha taught that telling the truth is not always good, and lying is not always bad. There are four kinds: truthful speech that brings about the wholesome, truthful speech that brings about the unwholesome, false speech that brings about the wholesome, and false speech that brings about the unwholesome.

During one dharma talk, someone came and asked the Buddha:

"World-Honored One, must we always speak the truth?"

The Buddha looked at the person and replied:

"Dear friends, it is not so. There are four kinds of truthful speech and false speech. The first is speaking the truth that brings wholesome dharma to those who hear it. The second is speaking the truth that brings unwholesome dharma to those who hear it. The third is speaking falsely, yet bringing wholesome dharma to those who hear it. And the fourth is speaking falsely and bringing unwholesome dharma to those who hear it."

The Buddha explained further:

"Speaking the truth that brings wholesome dharma means, for example, speaking about the law of cause and effect (karmic law), about the impermanence (anicca) of life, or about beautiful examples of devoted practice. Such words help the listener awaken and turn toward the good. This is truthful speech worth speaking."

He paused for a moment, then continued:

"As for speaking the truth that brings unwholesome dharma, imagine two people who dislike each other, and one of them speaks badly of the other. If the other comes to ask me about it, and I faithfully repeat those harsh words, then upon hearing them, their hatred and division only deepen. That is speaking the truth, yet it should not be done."

He looked around and said:

"As for speaking falsely yet bringing wholesome dharma, imagine someone who wishes to enroll in study, and I tell the admissions board that this person is a good student, from a poor family, with firm determination, so that they will be moved to accept them. Though the words may stretch the truth a little, the aim is to help another person gain the opportunity to study and practice. This is false speech that brings benefit. Even so, it should not be abused."

The Buddha concluded:

"As for false speech that brings unwholesome dharma, that is lying in order to deceive, to harm others, or to hide one's own wrongdoings. This above all must be avoided."

The listeners came to understand that truthfulness lies not only in stating the facts, but also in speaking words that bring benefit and cause no harm. We must learn to discern with care, so that our words always become wholesome dharma.

The Meaning of the Story

Our words must be weighed carefully, based not only on the truth but also on their consequences. Speaking the truth in a way that stirs up division and hatred should not be done. Lying for another person's legitimate benefit may, in some cases, be acceptable, but it should never be abused. What matters most is to keep a heart of compassion and avoid harming anyone in any way.

Compiled from a dharma talk by the Venerable Thich Chan Quang.