Sins of the Tongue Quotes

“We do not understand our task very well when we neglect our own nettle-choked garden and go to pull up weeds in someone else’s flower bed. Look my friend, stay in your own garden! There are enough burdocks, tares and nettles to weed out right there. Take a hard look at yourself and you will no longer see defects in others. Saint Bernard says, “If you examine yourself well, you will never backbite others” (Saint Bernard, De inter. Dom, Chapter 42).”
― Jean-Pierre Bélet, Sins of the Tongue: The Backbiting Tongue

“If someone relates certain things you have witnessed, limit yourself to talking about human weakness, and celebrate the virtues of the man whose vices they expose. Say, “Even the greatest men have done things that need to be forgiven.”
― Jean-Pierre Bélet, Sins of the Tongue: The Backbiting Tongue

“The person who refuses to cover the weaknesses of others will see his own crimes come to the light of day. Do you want others to keep silence regarding your miseries? Then keep silence regarding theirs; put a lock over your mouth and a brake on your tongue.”
― Jean-Pierre Bélet, Sins of the Tongue: The Backbiting Tongue

“In order to arm himself against this trap, Emperor Constantine said that even if he saw the Head of Christianity commit an atrocious act, not only would he not reveal it, but he would cover it with his cloak.”
― Jean-Pierre Bélet, Sins of the Tongue: The Backbiting Tongue

“Quisquis amat dictis absentum rodere famam, Hanc mensam vetitam noverit esse sibi That is, “People who take pleasure in defaming the reputation of absentees are not welcome at this table.”
― Jean-Pierre Bélet, Sins of the Tongue: The Backbiting Tongue

“I must not limit myself to addressing backbiters, but also implore their listeners to stop their ears and walk in the footsteps of the holy king, who said, ‘Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, his enemy will I become’ (Ps. 100:5). Tell the person who comes to you and speaks about others, ‘Are you here to praise someone and raise him in my esteem? Then gladly will I give ear and savor all your sweet conversation. But if you intend to speak ill, let me stop you right now; I cannot stand filth and stench. What have I to gain by knowing that someone is evil? Would I not be losing something instead? Talk to him yourself, and let us mind our own business.’”(Saint John Chrysostom, Homily 3, Ad pop. Antioch).”
― Jean-Pierre Bélet, Sins of the Tongue: The Backbiting Tongue

“But how can I restore it? you may ask. You must tell everyone present when you spoke ill not to believe you, that you spoke out of wickedness. If the person you defamed knows about it you are duty bound to ask his forgiveness, etc. Many have been damned for such defamations because words pass and we forget having said them; they make no scruples over them and never think of confessing them.”
― Jean-Pierre Bélet, Sins of the Tongue: The Backbiting Tongue

“The person who sets fire to his neighbor’s house is sinful, but so is the man who warms himself by the heat of the burning house.”
― Fr. Belet, Sins of the Tongue: The Backbiting Tongue