OUR NEIGHBOUR

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11, 18 March 1909, Page 437

OUR NEIGHBOUR

- If we would" avoid speaking ill of our neighbor, if we would overcome the habit oIE publishing his faults, or

of causing mischief by tale-bearing -,we should do well- to try to put in practice the"- three "rules which are often given us by spiritual -writers 'on this "point. The 'first • rule is : If you cannot' speak well of your neighbor do not speak^of Mm at all. This is -a most excellent maxim; for if" you think ill of another, or if you are prejudiced against him, you may be sure tKat ' your conversation in; that person's regard will be under the influence of this prejudice. The second rule is : Do not say in the- absence" of your neighbor what you would not say in his presence.' For it is certainly unfair to say hard things or to aim a blow at the good name of one who by his absence is unable, to defend himself. The third rule is: Say not of another what you would not have another say of you. Let us endeavor to act in conformity with these rules, and we shair*find that they will" often put a check on our speech and save us from many a sin against holy charity..