Slander is a great evil. Just as the little rudder steers
the whole ship wherever it wants, likewise the tongue leads a person either to
good or to evil. The holy fathers greatly censure judging other people’s sins,
faults, or evil habits. When we judge our brother, we condemn ourselves to a
great sin. But when we cover our brother, God will also protect us from great
sins. When we expose our brother, we drive the grace of God away from us and He
permits us to fall into the same sins so that we learn that we are all weak and
that the grace of God supports us. Whoever guards his tongue guards his soul
from great sins and grievous falls. The chief cause of criticism and slander is
pride and egotism, because one considers onesrlf better than the others. For this
reason it is very beneficial for a person to think of himself as below
everyone, so that he considers his brother than him in order that, with the
help of God, he may be delivered from this evil.
If something pushes you to criticism in any matter
regarding a brother or the monastery, try to pray about the matter instead,
without passing it under the judgment of your reason. If you turn within
yourself through prayer, humility, and mourning, you will find a spiritual
treasure—just keep pride and criticism far from you.
