QUOTATION: Revealing Sins

Would we wish that our own hidden sins should be divulged? We ought, then, to be silent regarding those of others.

--St. John Baptist de La Salle

QUOTATION: Gossip

Whenever you tell the shortcomings of someone who is not present, your tongue has made a harp for the music of the Devil.

--St. Ephraim the Syrian

QUOTATION: Rules of Speech

How good and peaceful to be silent about others, not to believe without discrimination all that is said, not easily to report it further.

--Thomas a Kempis

QUOTATION: Calumny

Look at that clever calumniator! He begins by fetching a deep sigh, he affects to be humble, and puts on a modest look, and with a voice choking with sobs tries to gloss over the slander which is on the tip of his tongue. One would fancy that he expressly assumed a calm and easy demeanor; for when he speaks against his brother, it is in a tender and compassionate tone. I am really hurt, says he, to find that our brother has fallen into such a sin; you all know how much I love him, and how often I have tried to correct him. It is not today that I have noticed his failing; for I should always be on my guard to speak of others, but others have spoken of it too. It would be in vain to disguise the fact; it is only too true, and with tears in my eyes I tell it to you. This poor unfortunate brother has talent, but it must be confessed that he is very guilty, and however great may be our friendship for him, it is impossible to excuse him.

--St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermon on The Canticles

QUOTATION: Gossip

"There are souls with whom I can do nothing. They are souls that are continuously observing others, but know nothing of what is going on within their own selves. They talk about others continually... Poor souls, they do not hear My words; their interior remains empty. They do not look for Me within their own hearts, but in idle talk, where I am never to be found..."

--Jesus to St. Faustina Kowalska

QUOTATION: Gossip

Do not listen to talk about other people's sins. For through such listening the form of these sins is imprinted on you.

--St. Mark the Ascetic

QUOTATION: Vain Curiosity

Do not disturb yourself with vain curiosity concerning the affairs of others, nor how they conduct themselves, unless your position makes it your duty to do so.

--Venerable Louis de Blois

QUOTATION: Gossip

We cannot gossip without either overrating ourselves or underrating our neighbors and frequently we do both.

--Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen