One meaningful saying
Today, say less, and let one thing you say be worth hearing.
- Read · about 2 minutes
Better than a thousandmeaningless sayingsis a single meaningful saying,hearing which brings you peace.…Better than a thousandmeaningless versesis a single meaningful verse,hearing which brings you peace.Dhammapada 100–101 · chapter 8, “The Thousands” · tr. Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0)
From the text
The verses say that a single meaningful saying is better than a thousand meaningless ones, and a single meaningful verse better than a thousand meaningless verses, when hearing it brings peace.
In everyday life
The measure in these verses is not how much is said, or how well. It is what hearing it does: 'hearing which brings you peace'. A thousand sayings that leave the listener no calmer count for less than one that does. Think of how much speech passes through an ordinary day: filler, commentary, group threads, replies sent to seem present. Much of it is not aimed at anyone's peace. One way to take the verses is that they invite you to weigh your words by their effect on the hearer rather than by their number. Today's sit with the breath is practice in doing without words for a few minutes and noticing that nothing collapses. Carry that ease with silence into the day. Wait until you have one thing that might bring someone some peace, and say that. If nothing comes, listening is also a way to keep the count low.
- Sit · 3, 5 or 10 minutes
Breath Awareness
Sit comfortably upright, hands in your lap or on your knees. After reading a cue, you may close your eyes and rest with the breath until the next one appears.
- Live · during your day
Before joining one group conversation or message thread today, wait until you have one thing worth saying, then say only that. If nothing comes, stay quiet and listen.
- Reflect · this evening
Was there one thing you said today that was worth hearing, and what did you leave out?
Answer on paper, or in the app’s journal, which stays on your iPhone.