AN 5.198  Vācā sutta - Speech

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgatā vācā subhāsitā hoti, no dubbhāsitā, anavajjā ca ananuvajjā ca viññūnaṁ. Katamehi pañcahi?

Bhikkhus, speech endowed with five factors is well-spoken, not badly spoken, blameless, and irreproachable to the wise. What are these five factors?

Kālena ca bhāsitā hoti,
saccā ca bhāsitā hoti,
saṇhā ca bhāsitā hoti,
atthasaṁhitā ca bhāsitā hoti,
mettacittena ca bhāsitā hoti.

1) It is spoken at the proper time,
2) it is |true::accurate, correct [sacca]|,
3) it is |gentle::polite, soft [saṇha]|,
4) it is |beneficial::meaningful [atthasaṃhita]|, and
5) it is spoken with a |mind of loving-kindness::mind of benevolence, friendly heart [mettacitta]|.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi aṅgehi samannāgatā vācā subhāsitā hoti, no dubbhāsitā, anavajjā ca ananuvajjā ca viññūnan”ti.

Indeed, bhikkhus, speech endowed with these five factors is well-spoken, not badly spoken, blameless, and irreproachable to the wise.