“Mendicants, in some past lives the Realized One was reborn as a human being. He refrained from harsh speech. He spoke in a way that’s mellow, pleasing to the ear, endearing, going to the heart, polite, and likable and agreeable to the people. Due to performing those deeds he was reborn in a heavenly realm. When he came back to this place he obtained these two marks: he has a large tongue, and the voice of the Divinity, like a cuckoo’s call.

Possessing these marks, if he stays at home he becomes a wheel-turning monarch. And what does he obtain as king? He has a compelling voice. His words are compelling to brahmins and householders, people of town and country, treasurers and chief ministers, military officers, guardsmen, ministers, councillors, rulers, tax beneficiaries, and princes. That’s what he obtains as king. And what does he obtain as Buddha? He has a compelling voice. His words are compelling to monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen, gods, humans, titans, dragons, and centaurs. That’s what he obtains as Buddha.” The Buddha spoke this matter.

On this it is said: “He never spoke a loud harsh word, insulting, quarrelsome, causing harm, rude, crushing the people. His speech was sweet, helpful, and courteous.