St Francis de Sales - Rash Judgement and Detraction
Feb 19, 2018 15:21:37 GMT
Post by Admin on Feb 19, 2018 15:21:37 GMT
From The Wisdom of St. Francis de Sales:
6. Rash Judgment and Detraction
“Judge not, so that you will not be judged,” were our Savior’s words; “Condemn not, and you will not be condemned;” and St. Paul says, “Judge not before the time of the Lord, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the inner thoughts of the heart.” (1 Cor 4:5) Rash judgments of men are rash because men are not each others judges but therein assume the office of our Lord. They are rash also since the chief guilt of sin depends upon the intention and thought of the heart, which are the hidden things of darkness to us; and they are rash because everyone has enough to do in judging himself, without presuming to judge his neighbor.
The Blessed Virgin was with child, and St. Joseph knew it, but he also knew that she was holy, pure, and angelic, and could not imagine her to be guilty of sin; therefore, he left her to the judgment of God. Why did he do this? Scripture expressly says because “he was a just man.” (Mt 1:19) The just man, when he can find no excuse for the action or intention of one whom he has held in high esteem, still refuses to condemn him, but rather leaves the judgment to God.
Whoever unjustly deprives his neighbor of his good name is guilty of sin, and is further obliged to make reparation for his slander; no one can enter Heaven with another’s goods, and of all worldly goods none is equal to a good reputation. I beseech you, therefore, never to speak ill of anyone, either directly or indirectly. Beware of falsely imputing crimes and sins to your neighbor, of disclosing his secret faults, or exaggerating those which are obvious, or badly interpreting good actions, of denying the good which you know of, or maliciously concealing or lessening it, for all these things grievously offend God: above all of falsely accusing another or denying the truth to his harm, which involves the double sin of falsehood and injury.
But while you are careful to speak no evil regarding your neighbor, beware of falling into the opposite extreme, as some do who, seeking to avoid slander, praise vice. If you come across a downright slanderer, do not defend him by calling him frank and truthful; do not misrepresent dangerous freedoms as simplicity and easiness, or call disobedience zeal, or arrogance self-respect; do not fly from slander into flattery and indulgence of vice.
We may speak freely of notorious and infamous sinners, but still with charity and compassion, avoiding arrogance and presumption, and not rejoicing in another’s ill, which is the sure sign of an evil, cruel heart. Of the enemies of God and His Church, we must speak openly, since in charity we are bound to give the alarm whenever the wolf is found among the sheep.
The Wisdom of Saint Francis De Sales, Loreto Publications, 2013
6. Rash Judgment and Detraction
“Judge not, so that you will not be judged,” were our Savior’s words; “Condemn not, and you will not be condemned;” and St. Paul says, “Judge not before the time of the Lord, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the inner thoughts of the heart.” (1 Cor 4:5) Rash judgments of men are rash because men are not each others judges but therein assume the office of our Lord. They are rash also since the chief guilt of sin depends upon the intention and thought of the heart, which are the hidden things of darkness to us; and they are rash because everyone has enough to do in judging himself, without presuming to judge his neighbor.
The Blessed Virgin was with child, and St. Joseph knew it, but he also knew that she was holy, pure, and angelic, and could not imagine her to be guilty of sin; therefore, he left her to the judgment of God. Why did he do this? Scripture expressly says because “he was a just man.” (Mt 1:19) The just man, when he can find no excuse for the action or intention of one whom he has held in high esteem, still refuses to condemn him, but rather leaves the judgment to God.
Whoever unjustly deprives his neighbor of his good name is guilty of sin, and is further obliged to make reparation for his slander; no one can enter Heaven with another’s goods, and of all worldly goods none is equal to a good reputation. I beseech you, therefore, never to speak ill of anyone, either directly or indirectly. Beware of falsely imputing crimes and sins to your neighbor, of disclosing his secret faults, or exaggerating those which are obvious, or badly interpreting good actions, of denying the good which you know of, or maliciously concealing or lessening it, for all these things grievously offend God: above all of falsely accusing another or denying the truth to his harm, which involves the double sin of falsehood and injury.
But while you are careful to speak no evil regarding your neighbor, beware of falling into the opposite extreme, as some do who, seeking to avoid slander, praise vice. If you come across a downright slanderer, do not defend him by calling him frank and truthful; do not misrepresent dangerous freedoms as simplicity and easiness, or call disobedience zeal, or arrogance self-respect; do not fly from slander into flattery and indulgence of vice.
We may speak freely of notorious and infamous sinners, but still with charity and compassion, avoiding arrogance and presumption, and not rejoicing in another’s ill, which is the sure sign of an evil, cruel heart. Of the enemies of God and His Church, we must speak openly, since in charity we are bound to give the alarm whenever the wolf is found among the sheep.
The Wisdom of Saint Francis De Sales, Loreto Publications, 2013