Saintly Advice - On Never Speaking Ill of Others

Santa Teresa de Avila

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"...I never spoke ill of anyone in the slightest degree. For my usual practice was to avoid all evil speaking. I used to remind myself that I must not wish or say anything about anyone which I should not like to be said of me. I was extremely particular about observing this rule on all possible occasions, although I was not so perfect as to not fail now and then when faced with difficult situations..."

From The Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila.

Very simply, we should ask ourselves: do I want someone to talk about me, discuss me, criticize me, judge me and condemn me? Or would I rather have someone give me the benefit of the doubt, pray for me, be merciful and charitable toward me? After all, the amount of mercy shown to us by God will be gauged in relation to the amount of mercy we showed others.

What good comes out of voicing our opinions about someone? Is this pleasing to God? What satisfaction do we derive? St. Joseph's feast day was just the other day, wouldn't it benefit our souls more by following his example of silence?