Not to speak at all is better than speaking. Secondly, if you have to speak, tell the truth. Thirdly, if you have to speak the truth, speak what is agreeable; and fourthly, if you have to speak what is agreeable, speak what is conducive to morality.
अव्याहृतं व्याहृताच्छ्रेय आहुः सत्यं वदेद् व्याहृतं तद् द्वितीयम्। प्रियं वदेद् व्याहृतं तत् तृतीयं धर्म वदेद् व्याहृतं तच्चतुर्थम्॥