Speech

Innumerous are the examples, both ancient and modern, which prove that the society of the good tends to the safety of the soul, and that of the wicked to its perdition; that good instruction is profitable, and evil conversation dangerous; and that silence and solitude increase our spiritual advancement, while the dissipation and tumult of the world retard its growth. Live then alone, and labor in the service of God; or join yourself to the devout and holy, with whom you may discourse on the virtues of Jesus Christ.

God has appointed a particular and lively application of his word, in the preaching of it, as a fit means to affect sinners with the importance of religion, their own misery, the necessity of a remedy, and the glory and sufficiency of a remedy provided; to stir up the pure minds of the saints, quicken their affections by often bringing the great things of religion to their remembrance, and setting them in their proper colors, though they know them, and have been fully instructed in them already.

Keep your tongue from criticizing and watch over your words. Know that in judging others you are passing sentence on yourself and that you are yourself guilty of the faults that you blame in them. It is no excuse to say, “If others tell me things I cannot be rude to them.” No one cares to speak to an unwilling listener. An arrow never lodges in a stone; often it recoils upon the shooter of it. Let the detractor learn from your unwillingness to listen not to be so ready to detract.