577. Speak Truth with Discretion.

http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/Speak-Truth-with-Discretion

Dharma in the path of eternal morality advises us to be truthful in such a way that it should be pleasing to others. Further it tells us to avoid speaking truth, when it is unpleasant to others and to never speak untruth, even if it might be pleasant to others.

To be truthful is an eternal virtue which has to be practices irrespective of time and place. The expression of truth should be accompanied by two conditions though. Firstly, it should be presented in a manner which is acceptable to others and secondly it should be spoken for the betterment of others. What we convey is as important as what is to be said. 

Our speech should be “Priyam” and “Hitam” says scriptures. Priyam means speech that is pleasing to others. Hitam is something that is said for the good or betterment of others. The purpose should be good and the words used and the manners in which they are brought out is important. So the value of truthfulness is relative to a situation. According to the scriptures while living in the world of relative truth our words can be interpreted in many ways.

A King was very much eager to know about his future so he produced his horoscope before an astrologer. The astrologer pondering over the positions of the planets and consulting the birth time of the king and finally gave his prediction thus: “O Maharaja, all your relatives will die before you, you will perform the funeral rite of all of them.” The king became very upset and furious. He was very much attached to his relatives and could not tolerate such a prediction. He at once ordered that the poor astrologer be imprisoned for life.

Then the King sent for another astrologer. This man found that what the previous astrologer’s predictions were absolutely correct. He was more tactful than the first. So, he intelligently put the same truth the other way. He said: “O Maharaja, you have a very long life. You will live longer than all your relatives.” 

This also meant that all his relatives would die while the King was alive. The same fact had been very acceptably told to please the King. The King was highly pleased with the astrologer prediction and gave him rich presents.

Therefore it is said that even while telling the truth, one should tell it in a pleasant manner and in a way that will not hurt the feelings of others. Our speech should be truthful, pleasant, and beneficial. But our intentions are hell bound to tell a person a unpleasant truth and feel satisfied in doing so if we don’t like him.

Words can HURT or HEAL what will ours do today???????