Harmlessness, Truth, Freedom from Anger
Harmlessness, truth, freedom from anger, letting go, tranquility, speaking no ill of others, compassion for the wretched, freedom from greed, gentleness, and a sense of shame — these are a bright nature.
Of these virtues, which do I break most often today?
📝Reflection
Among the virtues the old teacher lists, 'speaking no ill of others (apaiśuna)' stands out — for everyday gossip, more than grand wrongdoing, is the fault I commit most. This list names not heroic feats but the grain of each day: not raging, not slandering, staying gentle. The Buddha's right speech in the Eightfold Path and James's 'bridle the tongue' overlap here. A bright nature is not becoming someone great but becoming, in small places, someone who does no harm. The sense of shame (hrī) is the gatekeeper that guards all these virtues.
🌱Apply It Today
Make it your aim today to speak not one ill word about someone who is not present.
This verse is read as universal humanistic wisdom, not religion — no faith is promoted, and the reflection is 100% original ONGO content.
