The Buddha shares in brief the four kinds of good verabl conduct - 1) truthful speech, 2) non-divisive speech, 3) gentle speech, and 4) wise counsel.

AN 4.149  Sucarita sutta - Good Conduct

“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, vacīsucaritāni. Katamāni cattāri?

“Bhikkhus, there are these four kinds of |good verabl conduct::good behavior in speech [vacīsucarita]|. What four?

1.) Saccavācā,

1.) |Truthful speech::speaking what is true [saccavācā]|,

2.) apisuṇā vācā,

2.) |non-divisive speech::not slanderous, not defamatory, not malicious [apisuṇa vācā]|,

3.) saṇhā vācā,

3.) |gentle speech::spoken politely, with a mind of loving-kindness [saṇhā vācā]|,

4.) mantabhāsā

4.) |wise counsel::relevant, beneficial, to the point [mantabhāsā]|.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri vacīsucaritānī”ti.

These are the four kinds of good verabl conduct.”

Last updated on December 15, 2025