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 October 23, 2025