The Faults of the Tongue Are Innumerable

"The faults of the tongue are innumerable, and it is noteworthy that even in people who are otherwise quite virtuous one often finds an uncharitable tongue.  There is a wide field here for the practice of virtue and the quest of holiness.  So much so that the Holy Ghost tells us by the pen of St. James: If any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man.  Let us remember that every word we utter or every insinuation we make to the detriment of our neighbor is an injury done to Christ.  There are occasions when one must speak unpleasant truths about one's neighbor--for example, in a law court, or to avoid greater evil--but normally, we are not allowed to speak evil of him, even when what we say is true.  The Christian man does his best to hide the faults of others, and will not listen to detraction.  If detraction is wrong, calumny is still worse.  And even quite good people do not seem to realize the responsibility they have for every single word they say about anyone else.  Our neighbor's honor and good name, his professional reputation and his personal character, should be as safe in our mouth as in our Lord's.  And it must be remembered that this is true even though we know that his private behavior doe snot justify his public reputation.  There are, however, circumstances in which we may have to give someone a charitable warning.  But all tale-bearing and mischief-making, all imprudent revelations of another's secret, all sowing of discord or exciting of suspicion are quite wrong, and are altogether incompatible with a true life in Christ.  Not only do we separate ourselves form Him in the doing of these injuries, but we widen the breach inasmuch as these injuries are done to Him.  We make public the very sins of which He has taken the shame upon Himself."

               ~~Boylan, This Tremendous Lover, ch. 16.