Speaking guidelines

I often have problems knowing the right thing to say, when to say it and how to say it. It often comes at times when someone is feeling vulnerable and wants to talk... the worst time to say something inappropriate!

I was listening to my Zencast podcast the other day and the speaker, Gil Fronsdale, suggested 4 rules to ask before speaking:

1) Is it kind?
2) Is it helpful?
3) Is it true?
4) Is it timely?

I suppose the trick here is to know if what you are saying is honestly kind, helpful, true or timely, but it's still a good guideline to keep.