Words that are true and kind

anudvegakaraṃ vākyaṃ satyaṃ priyahitaṃ ca yatsvādhyāyābhyasanaṃ caiva vāṅmayaṃ tapa ucyate

Words that cause no distress, true, pleasant and helpful, and the steady practice of sacred study, are called discipline of speech.

What it means

Krishna describes tapas of speech. Words that don't wound. Words that are true, pleasant and genuinely helpful, all three at once. And regular reading of wisdom. Truth without kindness can be cruel. Kindness without truth can be empty. The disciplined voice holds both.

The story

Krishna himself speaks this way to Arjuna all through the Gita. Hard truths, offered with warmth, always for Arjuna's good.

In your life

Imagine a manager giving difficult feedback in a way that made you feel respected, not crushed. Before one hard conversation this week, ask, is it true, kind and helpful?