法苑珠林 76.56

76.56

Now loyal speech is that by which principle is illuminated; frivolous speech is that by which the truth is violated. Through loyalty there is reality; through reality, virtue arises; through virtue arising, one becomes a sage. Through frivolous speech there is falsehood; through falsehood, sin arises; through sin arising, one undergoes suffering. Therefore know that in tending toward principle and seeking sagehood, one must speak truthfully; if one's speech is false, in the end it violates principle. Any speech that is improper is called frivolous speech. Frivolous speech brings no benefit to oneself or others; it merely increases negligence and fosters unwholesomeness. At death one falls into the three evil paths; later, when born as a human, even if one speaks correct words, people do not believe them. Whenever what one speaks is indistinct, it is also called frivolous speech. Therefore the Tattvasiddhi-śāstra says: 'Even if words are true, if spoken out of season, they also fall into frivolous speech.'