"Revoke, my lord, thy fierce decree, And hear the words I speak to thee. Kings wise and noble ne'er condemn To death the envoys sent to them. Such deed the world's contempt would draw On him who breaks the ancient law.(885) Observe the mean where justice lies, And spare his life but still chastise." Then forth the tyrant's fury broke, And thus in angry words he spoke: "O hero, when the wicked bleed No sin or shame attends the deed. The Vanar's blood must needs be spilt, The penalty of heinous guilt."Ramayana 5.146 · Ramayana · 5
Ramayana 5.146
Ramayana · translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith
Themes in this passage
SpeechAngerKarmaSinDeathThe DivineJusticeLeadership
Speech in other traditions
The same theme, as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Taoism address it.
Beware of the anger of the tongue, and control thy tongue! Leave the sins of the tongue, and practise virtue with thy tongue!Dhp 17.232 · Dhammapada · Anger
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.1 Corinthians 14:2 · Bible · 1 Corinthians
O ye who believe! Guard your duty to Allah, and speak words straight to the point;Quran 33:70 · Quran · The Allies
He who knows (the Tao) does not (care to) speak (about it); he who is (ever ready to) speak about it does not know it.Tao Te Ching 56.1 · Tao Te Ching
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