[977] **One should utter wholesome speech, not beyond the proper limit**: one should utter speech arisen from knowledge (ñāṇa) — one should utter, send forth, fully send forth speech that is connected with the meaning, connected with the Dhamma, spoken at the right time, supported by reasons, measured, and connected with the goal. Thus, "one should utter wholesome speech." **Not beyond the proper limit**: as to "limit" (velā), there are two limits: the limit of time and the limit of virtue.
What is the limit of time? One should not speak speech that oversteps the right time; one should not speak speech that oversteps the limit; one should not speak speech that oversteps both the right time and the limit; one should not speak speech when the right time has not arrived; one should not speak speech when the limit has not been reached; one should not speak speech when neither the right time nor the limit has been reached.
And whoever, when the right time has not arrived,
speaks beyond the proper limit,
lies slain in consequence,
like the cuckoo's own offspring.
This is the limit of time.
What is the limit of virtue? One who is impassioned should not speak; one who is filled with hatred should not speak; one who is deluded should not speak. One should not speak false speech (musāvāda); one should not speak malicious speech (pisuṇavācā); one should not speak harsh speech (pharusavācā); one should not speak frivolous talk (samphappalāpa) — one should not speak it, tell it, utter it, set it forth, or express it. This is the limit of virtue. Thus, "one should utter wholesome speech, not beyond the proper limit."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.