Just because we don’t endorse someone’s language doesn’t mean that we can’t empathize with their feelings. Sometimes some people express their concerns in language that may not be appropriate for certain settings. Many times [other] people just get dismayed or even disgusted with that language and don’t see beyond it to the substance of that person’s concerns. However, there are times when we need to be empathic enough, knowing that not everybody will articulate their concerns in the same way as we would articulate them. And if we can see beyond their words to their heart, that is when we have an opportunity to express deep empathy.

Watch this content: See beyond harsh language

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17.15 Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature.