Let’s pay attention to our own faults
Say to him [to the one who slanders]: Let’s pay attention to our own faults, and how we’ll have to give an account of our own transgressions; and let’s turn this sort of curiosity and meddlesome behavior upon our own life. What excuse will we find or what pardon could we possibly receive if we never look at our own faults [to try and correct them], but instead [waste all of our time] inquisitively pry[ing] into those of others? And just as it is dishonorable and very shameful to peer inside someone else’s home to see what is inside while one is passing by, it is the lowest of low to look for faults in someone else’s life. But what is even more ridiculous is that those who do this regularly (while completely neglecting to look at how they themselves live), after they have discovered some secret faults and tell someone, they beg him and insist that he not tell anyone else, thus making it quite clear that they have done something deserving of a rebuke. For if you have to beg him not to tell anyone, how much more improper was it for you to tell him these things in the first place. While only you knew, no harm was done; but now, after spilling the beans, you become nervous that it will become known to others. If you don’t want everyone to know, don’t tell anyone; but if you have spilled the beans, you are wasting your time making him swear not to tell anyone.
