speech ethics

  • The Analects – Chapter 16.6

    Confucius said, “When serving a noble person, there are three common faults: to speak before it is your turn is called impetuousness; to remain silent when it is your turn to speak is called concealment; and to speak without observing the other’s expression is called blindness.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.27

    The Master said, “Clever words corrupt virtue; lacking patience in small matters disrupts great plans.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.13

    Confucius asked Gongming Jia about Gongshu Wenzi, saying, “Is it true that your master never speaks, never laughs, and never takes anything?”Gongming Jia replied, “The person who told you that exaggerated. In fact, my master speaks only when the time is right – so people do not dislike his words; he laughs only when…