Freedom of Expression in Việt Nam—Part 3: Free Speech in Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism

Lê Giang wrote this Vietnamese article, published in Luật Khoa Magazine on June 3, 2025. 

The third installment in our series on freedom of expression in  Việt Nam explores this right through the lenses of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.

Freedom of Expression and the Buddhist Perspective

In an era where anyone can be a social media "spokesperson," the concept of freedom of expression is far from new in Việt Nam. Yet, amidst this deluge of words, the public frequently encounters its darker aspects: fake news, incitement, and hate speech often disguised as personal expression.

From a Buddhist perspective, the central question shifts from "Do I have the right to speak?" to "How should I speak so that my words do not generate bad karma?"

For millennia, Buddhism has offered guidance on speech through the Noble Eightfold Path, a set of eight principles designed to end suffering. A fundamental component of this path is Right Speech (Sammā Vācā).

According to the Buddha's teachings, Right Speech is not merely about telling the truth. A practitioner of Right Speech is deeply aware of the consequences of their words, understands when to speak and when to stay silent, and—most importantly—speaks with compassion, never with the intent to harm or divide.

Right Speech consists of four core principles:

1. Do not lie.
2. Do not speak divisively or slander.
3. Do not use harsh, abusive language.
4. Do not engage in idle or frivolous talk.

In Buddhist thought, freedom of expression does not extend to the right to harm others through speech, whether intentionally or not. A wise person must learn to use language as a tool for construction, not destruction.

In the Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numerical Discourses), the Buddha taught that proper speech must meet five conditions: it must be timely, truthful, gentle, spoken with goodwill, and beneficial.

He advised: "Speak at the right time, speak the truth, speak gently, speak beneficially, and speak with a loving heart."

Without these criteria, freedom of expression can easily become a vehicle for spreading suffering, rather than fostering wisdom and liberation.

Freedom of Expression and the Confucian Perspective

In East Asian cultures, Confucianism is not just a moral philosophy; it is a fundamental framework that shapes social conduct, particularly how people speak and interact.

While freedom of expression is a concept rooted in Western Enlightenment, people often assume it clashes with Confucianism. However, Confucianism does not deny the right to speak; instead, it integrates speech within a matrix of ethics, order, and responsibility.

In Confucianism, freedom of expression does not refer to unrestrained verbal autonomy. Rather, it is the right to speak within a structure of moral and social propriety. In this context, speech is more than a communication tool; it is an expression of one's virtue, integrity, and even political character.

Confucianism does not reject one's right to speak, but it emphasizes that this right must be accompanied by self-restraint and moral responsibility. A learned and virtuous person—a junzi—is expected to be "cautious in speech" (慎言).

In the Analects, Confucius stated, "The superior man is cautious in his speech and quick in his actions." This teaching not only highlights restraint in speech but also criticizes those who "talk more than they act"—a trait Confucius saw as lacking sincerity and integrity.

The Great Learning, one of the Four Books of Confucianism, contains a passage that reads, "To speak without sincerity and act without result is mere posturing." This suggests that speech must not only convey truth but also originate from sincerity and be accompanied by meaningful action. Otherwise, regardless of eloquence, words are hollow and potentially harmful.

Consequently, Confucianism places moral boundaries on expression, not through coercive law, but through the speaker's self-cultivation. The noble person does not speak to assert dominance, satisfy ego, or incite division.

Through the Confucian lens, freedom of speech is not the liberty to say anything at will. Instead, it is a freedom shaped by internal discipline—refined by propriety, righteousness, integrity, and sincerity. Often, timely silence is also considered a noble form of expression.

Freedom of Expression and the Taoist Perspective

In Taoism, speech is not just a communication tool; it is an energy flow that affects natural balance and social harmony. Consequently, Taoist perspectives on speech do not emphasize the right to speak, as in Western thought, or the moral weight of speech—as in Confucianism. Instead, they focus on the principles of wu wei (non-action) and zhi zu (knowing when to stop, knowing contentment).

For Laozi, freedom of expression is not about unrestrained verbosity but about transcending the need for unnecessary speech. In the Tao Te Ching, he wrote: "Those who speak much are often not believed; it is better to remain moderate." This serves as a warning: excessive talk breeds distrust, while timely silence preserves trust and virtue.

While Confucianism values propriety in speech and Buddhism emphasizes truthfulness and compassion, Taoism views speech as secondary—a shadow of understanding. According to Laozi: "The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name." This reflects a deep caution toward the descriptive and definitional power of language; words are limited, while truth is boundless. Therefore, Taoism honors tranquility in the Way, discouraging debates and sermons, and instead promoting intuition, silence, and contemplation—"to know without speaking."

Taoist silence (靜) is not the silence of the silenced, but the stillness of one who understands but chooses not to speak. It is not shirking responsibility but a cultivated act, ensuring that when words are spoken, they bring true transformation. Laozi also wrote: "Great sound is inaudible; great form is formless."

The Taoist lesson on freedom of expression is not about asking, "How much can I say?" but rather, "Why do I feel the need to speak?" A person speaks not because they have the right, but because they have experienced, understood, and found their voice necessary for harmony in the Way.