GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16431, 6 January 1917, Page 6 (Supplement)

GOSSIP.

I often wonder why idle gossip was not placed long ago among the seven deadly sins. It has been said, "Characters are crucified, if men are not." For the great tins of this world are not Hie sins you commit against yourself, but the sins you commit against other people. The sins you commit against yourself you usually suffer for in this life; but for the sins you commit against other people you often escape scot-free, and, indeed, sometimes gain in popularity for having done them. More than half the troubles of life are caused by the inability of people to keep their knowledge of other people's virtuous omissions to themselves. Gossip, and the petty jealousy of petty things— are the two great sins which make heaven assume tho aspect of a blessed rest, That greatest of all virtues, the virtue of livihg and letting live; that greatest of all sacrifices,, the silence when silence would be most* kind— are of far more importance than the dull injunction not to covet your neighbour's ass. And of all temptations, they are the two temptations before which it is most easy to bo weak. It ir to " inviting" to abuse a man because his ways are not our ways; so tempting to repeat that story which would so agreeably light up the dreariness of our own small talk. People always believe—and, alas! their belief is often true— the nice remark" leads nowhere and is dull, whoreas the spiteful one leads to more spite and often to a most amusing afternoon. Praise only seems to have one note, as it were, whereas abuse offers a whole gamut of variety. That is why it is so much easier to criticise than to laud, and, in parenthesis, so much more popular. For criticism brings people and things down to our own level, or even a little below it, whereas praise leaves one sitting at the feet of an idol.