In this world, speech carries more value than the currency note. In ancient times, people used to give immense importance to speech. With the help of speech, they were able to become rich and prosperous; they could even win kingdoms. Man becomes virtuous only when his speech is good; he becomes evil when his speech is bad. The speech promotes friendship. It also brings about differences between friends. The speech promotes affinity among relatives. It also creates discord. Effects of speech are not confined to ephemeral and worldly matters only; speech affects our spiritual progress also. Speech may even cause death. Speech can save one’s life, too. Sweet speech brings you name and fame. As man today has lost his pleasant speech and sweet temper, he is subjected to innumerable ordeals and sufferings. That is why I tell the students now and then, you cannot always oblige, but you can always speak obligingly. When the speech is good, a man becomes a hero. But, man will become zero if the speech is not good. – Divine Discourse, Apr 26, 1999