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for, in the judgment of God Himself, a good name is better than great 
riches. —Prov., xxii. 
St. Bernard, who compares the detractor to a viper, tells us that with 
a stroke of his tongue he kills three persons. He gives death to himself 
by sin. He gives death to him whom he detracts, either because he robs 
him of his character, which is his civil life, or by the hatred which he raises 
in his heart, and which deprives him of the spiritual life of his soul. 
Finally, he gives death to those in whose presence he detracts, by the part 
which they usually take in the detraction—whether at the time it is spoken 
or later on! 
Ah! with how much reason does the Holy Ghost forbid us to keep 
company with detractors, when He says: “My son, fear the Lord, and the 
king; and have nothing to do with detractors!” —Prov. xxiv., 21. 
“Five things observe with care: 
Of whom you speak, 
To whom you speak, 
And how, and when, and where.” 
— Anon. 
Possidius, Bishop of Calama, in ancient Humidia (Algeria), and 
disciple of St. Augustine, relates that the holy Doctor was wont to warn 
every one, without distinction of person, who should be guilty of Detrac¬ 
tion in his presence; and upon their persisting, he would even turn away 
and withdraw into his chamber. 
Furthermore, to caution his guests and ordinary companions to re¬ 
frain from detracting while at table, he had the following distich inscribed 
in a conspicuous place of his refectory: 
“Quisquis amat dictis absentum rodere vitam, 
Ilanc mensam indignant noverit esse sibi.” 
That is, 
This board allows no vile detractor place, 
Whose tongue shall charge the absent with disgrace. 
