Avoid speaking harshly to others

Avoid speaking harshly to others,

Harsh speech prompt retaliation.

Those hurt by your words

May hurt you back

Dhammapada

Once there was a king who ruled a great kingdom in India. He enjoyed a happy life, except that his young son would often quarrel with the ministers, servants and other family members. Everyone found the son's behavior unbearable, yet no one dared to complain to the king. After some time the king himself saw what was happening and sought help. He employed the best therapists, but they could not subdue the boy's behavior, nor could the local sports heroes, miracle workers, and entertainers. In fact, the child's behavior became more obnoxious.

One day a monk came to the town to collect alms. The king's messenger observed him walking gently and mindfully and asked him to come to see the king. The monk, who had high spiritual realizations, declined this opportunity for riches and glory, saying "I am no more bound to the worldly life and therefore have nothing much to discuss with a king in the world."

Hearing of the purity of the monk's mind, the king went to pay homage to him and asked if he needed anything. The monk said that he simply wished to stay in the nearby forest, to which the king responded, "That is my forest, so please live there without worry. We will bring you food daily and will not disturb your meditation. I ask only that you allow me to bring my son to visit you. He is a big trouble- maker and I'm at a loss as to what to do with him." The monk nodded in consent.

The next day the king and his son arrived at the royal forest in a chariot. The king returned to the palace, while the monk and the the boy walked in the forest. Suddenly they came across a small neem tree, and the monk asked the prince to pluck leaf and taste it. The boy did so and spit out the bitter leaf in disgust. He bent over bent over and forcefully grabbing the young tree by its trunk, uprooted it.

The monk said to him "my child, you knew that if this sapling were to continue, it would become a huge tree, which would even more bitter in the future. For that reason, you plucked it out. In the same way, the ministers, royal officers, and palace residents now think 'this young prince is so bitter and angry. When he grows up, he will become even more vicious and cruel to us.' If you are not careful, they will pluck you from kingship as soon as they can." Understanding the disturbance he was inflicting on others and its ramifications for himself, the prince decided that he must change his attitude and behavior. Although it required effort, he knew it was for the happiness of all, and as he changed, others ceased their negative reactions to him and came to love and respect him.

(collected)