Not Backbiting

Not Backbiting

1

Though virtuous words his lips speak not, and all his deeds are ill.

If neighbour he defame not, there's good within him still.

Meanings :-

Though one do not even speak of virtue and live in sin, it will be well if it be said of him "he does not backbite."

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2

Than he who virtue scorns, and evil deeds performs, more vile,

Is he that slanders friend, then meets him with false smile.

Meanings :-

To smile deceitfully (in another's presence) after having reviled him to his destruction (behind his back) is a greater evil than the commission of (every other) sin and the destruction of (every) virtue.

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3

'Tis greater gain of virtuous good for man to die,

Than live to slander absent friend, and falsely praise when nigh.

Meanings :-

Death rather than life will confer upon the deceitful backbiter the profit which (the treatises on) virtue point out.

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4

In presence though unkindly words you speak, say not

In absence words whose ill result exceeds your thought.

Meanings :-

Though you speak without kindness before another's face speak not in his absence words which regard not the evil subsequently resulting from it.

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5

The slanderous meanness that an absent friend defames,

'This man in words owns virtue, not in heart,' proclaims.

Meanings :-

The emptiness of that man's mind who (merely) praises virtue will be seen from the meanness of reviling another behind his back.

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6

Who on his neighbours' sins delights to dwell,

The story of his sins, culled out with care, the world will tell.

Meanings :-

The character of the faults of that man who publishes abroad the faults of others will be sought out and published.

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7

With friendly art who know not pleasant words to say,

Speak words that sever hearts, and drive choice friends away.

Meanings :-

Those who know not to live in friendship with amusing conversation will by back-biting estrange even their relatives.

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8

Whose nature bids them faults of closest friends proclaim

What mercy will they show to other men's good name?

Meanings :-

What will those not do to strangers whose nature leads them to publish abroad the faults of their intimate friends ?

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9

'Tis charity, I ween, that makes the earth sustain their load.

Who, neighbours' absence watching, tales or slander tell abroad.

Meanings :-

The world through charity supports the weight of those who reproach others observing their absence.

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10

If each his own, as neighbours' faults would scan,

Could any evil hap to living man?

Meanings :-

If they observed their own faults as they observe the faults of others, would any evil happen to men ?

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