Think First, Speak Second

AA said: C’est tellement juste pour moi, merci! 

Think First, Speak Second

If you propose to speak, always ask yourself: Is it true, is it necessary, is it kind?                    

Buddhist wisdom

There is too much thoughtless talking going on. We have the habit of simply bursting out whatever passes through our hyperactive minds. Often no real harm is done, but sometimes we say things that hurt others and we wish we had held our tongues.

At times I’m overly enthusiastic about something and speak at the pace of my thoughts, but often I use the Buddhist motto above as a helpful guideline:

Is it true? - or am I just repeating something I heard somewhere?

Is it necessary? – or am I just talking to keep silence at bay?

Is it kind? – or do my words contain unpleasant subtexts?