The Ascetic Gotama Refrained from Pointless Talk

Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated, remain addicted to such distasteful conversation as about Kings, thieves, and ministers of state; talk about armies, dangers, and wars; talk about food, drink, garments, and beds; talk about garlands and scents; talk about relations, vehicles, villages, towns, cities, and countries; talk about women and talk about heroes; street talk and talk by the well; talk about those departed in days gone by; rambling chitchat; speculation about the world and about the sea; talk about becoming this or that, the Ascetic Gotama refrains from such conversation.

Thus the worldling would praise The Tathāgata.

(Reference: DN 1)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that he refrains from pointless talk.

The Buddha spoke of topics related to these Teachings and guiding Students to liberation of the mind. Through remaining consistent and dedicated to sharing these Teachings, people around The Buddha gave much significance to his words and his Teachings.

If he had “rambling chitchat”, people would become accustomed to his words and conversations would be meaningless. They would be disinterested in listening to him and understanding the depth of his Teachings.

Therefore, he remained focused on sharing The Teachings, which is The Path to Enlightenment, rather than, various unbeneficial, irrelevant, and pointless talk.

In this way, he could be much more effective as a Teacher helping to guide countless people to Enlightenment because when he spoke, people listened.