Published Monday, 07 August 2017
Those who speak much
are not necessarily possessed of wisdom.
The wise can be seen to be at peace with life
and free from all enmity and fear.Dhammapada v. 258
It is considered normal to be impressed by eloquent or entertaining speech. Or perhaps we are enamoured of intelligent speech. While all these might be somewhat diverting or even informing, the Buddha points out that they are not necessarily wise. Friendliness and fearlessness, he says, are reliable signs that someone is possessed of wisdom.