Injustice in Words: Backbiting

Reviling is the open and loud dishonoring of a person. Backbiting is the secret and quiet injuring of a man’s good name. Thus these two sins have a resemblance to two sins that deal with external goods, namely robbery, which is open and violent, and theft, which is secret and quiet. If the backbiting is lying, its name is calumny or slander; if it is harmful truth, its name is detraction.

Backbiting is a sin, and when it is done with full knowledge and consent and in serious matters, it is a mortal sin. Slight things said about another do not seriously injure his character, and may be venial sins.

Backbiting is a great evil, but it is not the most serious evil against one’s neighbor. It is, for instance, lessgrievous than adultery or murder. Rut, in its genus or kind, backbiting is more grievous than theft, which it resembles. For Scripture says (Prov. 22:1): “A good name is better than great riches.”

St. Jerome says (Ep. ad Nepot.): “Takecare not to have an itching tongue, nor tingling ears; neither detract others, nor listen to backbiters.” He who willinglylistens to backbiting, shares its guilt.