The four verbal misconducts and the four good verbal conducts.

AN 4.221  Duccarita sutta - Misconducts

“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, vacīduccaritāni. Katamāni cattāri? Musāvādo, pisuṇā vācā, pharusā vācā, samphappalāpoImāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri vacīduccaritāni.

“Bhikkhus, these are the four misconducts by way of speech. What are the four? False speech, divisive speech, harsh speech, and idle chatter — these are the four misconducts by way of speech.

Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, vacīsucaritāni. Katamāni cattāri? Saccavācā, apisuṇā vācā, saṇhā vācā, mantavācāImāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri vacīsucaritānī”ti.

Bhikkhus, these are the four good conducts by way of speech. What are the four? Truthful speech, speech that is not |divisive::promoting harmony|, gentle speech, and thoughtful speech — these are the four good conducts by way of speech.”

Last updated on October 19, 2025