Components of speech

From the meaning communicated by the things people say we can identify three major components:

1.The Intention behind the Words. We can see whether the intention behind the things someone is saying is based on greed (e.g. they would like to get something from someone), hatred (e.g. in order to try to harm someone) or delusion (e.g. out of the envy of someone). These are all damaging forms of speech. If speech is used in a good way then the intention must be good. Good speech may be said out of compassion.

2. The Sort of Words Chosen. The more true they are the less false they are. The more polite speech is the less rude it is and vice-versa. If the usefulness of words is reduced then they become more superfluous. Thus we can classify the speech of anyone in the world in terms of these three variables no matter what language it is spoken in:

a.True or Untrue
b.Polite or Rude
c.Useful or Superfluous - Words are either true or false.

3. The Occasion Chosen to say them. Sometimes this means whether what is said is appropriate to the time available and the place where it is said.