Do adjectives used as judgements constitute wrong speech?

tmottes

Should we strive to cut out adjectives in our speech that are judgmental? Would it be better to say "I was bit by a bug" rather than "I got bit by a nasty bug?" Or when I questions somebody's actions: "Why did he/she do that, they are so crazy." Is the crazy part considered wrong speech, even if my comment is not intended to harm (although it does seem to feed the ego, in that it is better than the other ego that does crazy things)? Do these little judgements maintain, if not further, our ignorance?

Talisman

Does saying these thigns make you or anyone else feel bad about themselves? Some times "nasty bug" is literal because the bug was nasty. A nasty person can be nasty if they are mean, rude, gross, or offensive. I'd say calling someone a "dumbass" would be something to hold off on because it's obviously meant to be offensive, but calling someone ignorant or stupid isnt as long as the person has done ignorant or stupid things. I believe there are cases of the Buddha referring to a person as foolish or ignorant or lazy.

Cloud

I don't think the bug would take offense.

For people, it's good to be as cautious as you can, but sometimes the best way of expressing something is just like that (i.e. "crazy"). If we can find something less offensive but still make our meaning clear, all the better, but if not then we'll just have to deal.

tmottes

Do you guys think that it is helpful to eliminate those types of things from speech though? For example, if I say I was bit by a nasty bug, the bug probably doesn't take offense, but on a more subtle level I am labeling with judgement the actions of a bug, which is doing nothing more than being a bug. Am I conditioning myself to more ignorance?

Talisman

Mindfulness

Just have mindfulness

Cloud

It's still just a word used to describe, a shortcut if you will.
I don't think it's really an issue. I don't think monks would go that far.