“Words that cause no distress, that are true, pleasant and helpful, together with regular study and recitation: this is called the discipline of speech.”

Words that are true, kind and helpful

In chapter 17 Lord Krishna describes tapas, discipline, in three forms: of the body, of speech and of the mind (17.14–17.16). We usually imagine discipline as something hard, like fasting. This verse says that simply speaking well is a discipline too.

He gives four qualities of good speech:

• anudvega-kara: it doesn’t cause upset or agitation;
• satya: it is true;
• priya: it is pleasant;
• hita: it is helpful, for the other person’s good.

Notice that truth alone isn’t enough. A true remark said cruelly fails the test. And kindness alone isn’t enough either: pleasant words that aren’t true fail too. Good speech holds them all together.

The verse also includes svādhyāya-abhyasana, regular study and recitation of sacred texts, as part of this discipline: using our voice for what uplifts.

For a student: feedback to a friend can be honest and gentle at the same time. For a parent: correcting a child works better when the words are true and kind. Online: the three questions make an excellent filter before posting.

For kids: “My words should be true, kind and helpful.”