[668] Bhikkhus, herein, that speech behind another's back which is untrue, false, and unbeneficial — this is a state (dhamma) beset by suffering (dukkha), by harm, by despair, by fever; it is the wrong way of practice. Therefore this is a state beset by strife (saraṇa). Herein, bhikkhus, that speech behind another's back which is true and correct, but unbeneficial — this too is a state beset by suffering, by harm, by despair, by fever; it is the wrong way of practice. Therefore this too is a state beset by strife. But herein, bhikkhus, that speech behind another's back which is true, correct, and beneficial — this is a state free from suffering, free from harm, free from despair, free from fever; it is the right way of practice. Therefore this is a state free from strife (araṇa).
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.