It means to speak at the right occasion in a way that is suitable to the listeners. Such speech will promote peace and harmony, and has the power to persuade others. Right action means first to refrain from killing and causing pain to living beings. It also means to refrain from stealing or taking what is not given by others, and to refrain from sexual misconduct. Defined as having intercourse with someone else's wife, sexual misconduct actually refers to all sexual relationships outside of marriage.
Right action comprises the basic moral principles that govern the social environment.
By refraining from wrong action, a person's behavior will be pure and beyond reproach. In this way, such a person will also gain in social esteem and in self-confidence. Right livelihood means abstaining from occupations which cause harm to humans or animals, and conducting one's business in an honest way. Included also is the slaughter of animals, and the purchase and sale of human beings in slavery. Wealth itself is no measure of honor or morality.