WAYS OF VIOLATING THIS COMMANDMENT

In ordinary conversation one may violate this Commandment in five ways. The

first is by detraction: "Detractors, hateful to God."⁹ "Hateful to God"

here indicates that nothing is so dear to a man as his good name: "A good

name is better than great riches."¹⁰ But detractors take away this good

name: "If a serpent bite in silence, he is no better that backbiteth

secretly."¹¹ Therefore, if detractors do not restore this reputation, they

cannot be saved.

Secondly, one may break this precept by listening to detractors willingly:

"Hedge in thy ears with thorns, hear not a wicked tongue, and make doors

and bars to thy mouth."¹² One should not listen deliberately to such

things, but ought to turn away, showing a sad and stern countenance: "The

north wind driveth away rain as doth a sad countenance a backbiting

tongue."¹³

Thirdly, gossipers break this precept when they repeat whatever they hear:

"Six things there are which the Lord hateth, and the seventh His soul

detesteth . . . him that soweth discord among brethren."¹⁴ Fourthly, those

who speak honied words, the flatterers: "The sinner is praised in the

desires of his soul, and the unjust man is blessed."¹⁵ And again: "O My

people, they that call thee blessed, the same shall deceive thee."¹⁶