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

  1. It is spoken at the proper time,

  2. it is truthful,

  3. it is gentle,

  4. it is beneficial, and

  5. it is spoken with a mind of loving-kindness.

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

One can independently verify this teaching by recollecting a recent conversation that didn’t go as intended and see whether one was using all the five factors. Similarly, one can recollect conversations where the five factors were applied and observing for the outcome of it.

Applying all five factors in one’s speech at all times requires development of the noble eightfold path, for being able to do this is dependent on right view, right intention, right effort, right mindfulness and right collectedness.

Being able to consistently apply this in one’s interactions is great way to observe for the cultivation of the eightfold path. You may notice this is challenging to do when the mind has craving/desire/attachment and quite easy to do where the mind is operating without it.

One earns the trust and respect of one’s colleagues, and of one’s community by consistently practicing the five factors of well-spoken speech. An enlightened being would be always practicing the five factors of well-spoken speech.

Related Teachings:

Speech like dung, flowers and honey (AN 3.28) - This is a teaching where the Buddha is categorizing speech into three types. One can verify this teaching by observing for the hindrances that come up during meditation or with the amount of disagreeable or agreeable contact one comes across in their interactions.

A line drawn in water | A teaching on speech (AN 3.132) - The Buddha is sharing a guidance here on people who can harmoniously interact with others, even in the face of hostility. This is a quality one will gradually cultivate as they work towards enlightenment.

The effects of cultivating the eightfold path are gradual (DhP 273) - The noble eightfold path is a comprehensive collection of training guidelines that one should practice for the ending of the unwholesome mental qualities and for the benefits of enlightened mental qualities shine through.