[660] "'One should not utter speech behind another's back (rahovāda), and should not speak sharp words (khīṇavāda) to another's face' — so indeed this was said. And with reference to what was this said? Therein, bhikkhus, when one knows speech behind another's back to be untrue, false, and unconnected with benefit, one should certainly (sasakkaṃ) not utter that speech behind his back. And even when one knows speech behind another's back to be true and correct, but unconnected with benefit, one should train oneself not to say it. But when one knows speech behind another's back to be true, correct, and connected with benefit, therein one should be a knower of the proper time for uttering that speech behind his back. Therein, bhikkhus, when one knows sharp speech to another's face to be untrue, false, and unconnected with benefit, one should certainly not utter that sharp speech to his face. And even when one knows sharp speech to another's face to be true and correct, but unconnected with benefit, one should train oneself not to say it. But when one knows sharp speech to another's face to be true, correct, and connected with benefit, therein one should be a knower of the proper time for uttering that sharp speech to his face. So when it was said: 'One should not utter speech behind another's back, and should not speak sharp words to another's face,' it was with reference to this that it was said."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.