文╱明．高攀龍（1562~1626）

語言之間，最可積德。

見人為善，以一言贊成；

見人為惡，以一言諫止；

人有爭訟，以一言勸解；

人有冤抑，以一言辨明；

以至勿訐人陰私，勿談人閨閣，

其功俱無量。

凡人喪身亡家，語言占了八分。

──選自《高氏家訓》

The Accumulation

of Merits through Speech

Gao panlong (1562 - 1626, Ming Dynasty)

English translation: Ven. Zhi Yue

Speech is a way that can greatly accumulate merits.

When one sees wholesome actions of others,

endorse it with one’s speech.

When one sees unwholesome actions,

admonish it with one’s speech.

When people have disputes,

reconcile with one’s speech.

When people suffer injustice

clarify with one’s speech.

Do not pry into other’s personal life,

nor discuss other’s private affairs,

in this way, merit is boundless.

The reason for one’s downfall,

has eighty-percent to do with one’s speech.

── from Gaoshi Jiaxun

(Gao Family Motto)