19. Not Backbiting

Chapter. 19. Not Backbiting
Kural-181
Though virtuous words his lips speak not, and all his deeds are ill.
If neighbour he defame not, there's good within him still.
Meaning : Though one do not even speak of virtue and live in sin, it will be well if it be said of him "he does not backbite."
Kural-182
Than he who virtue scorns, and evil deeds performs, more vile,
Is he that slanders friend, then meets him with false smile.
Meaning : To smile deceitfully (in another's presence) after having reviled him to his destruction (behind his back) is a greater evil than the commission of (every other) sin and the destruction of (every) virtue.
Kural-183
'Tis greater gain of virtuous good for man to die,
Than live to slander absent friend, and falsely praise when nigh.
Meaning : Death rather than life will confer upon the deceitful backbiter the profit which (the treatises on) virtue point out.
Kural-184
In presence though unkindly words you speak, say not
In absence words whose ill result exceeds your thought.
Meaning : Though you speak without kindness before another's face speak not in his absence words which regard not the evil subsequently resulting from it.
Kural-185
The slanderous meanness that an absent friend defames,
'This man in words owns virtue, not in heart,' proclaims.
Meaning : The emptiness of that man's mind who (merely) praises virtue will be seen from the meanness of reviling another behind his back.
Kural-186
Who on his neighbours' sins delights to dwell,
The story of his sins, culled out with care, the world will tell.
Meaning : The character of the faults of that man who publishes abroad the faults of others will be sought out and published.
Kural-187
With friendly art who know not pleasant words to say,
Speak words that sever hearts, and drive choice friends away.
Meaning : Those who know not to live in friendship with amusing conversation will by back-biting estrange even their relatives.
Kural-188
Whose nature bids them faults of closest friends proclaim
What mercy will they show to other men's good name?
Meaning : What will those not do to strangers whose nature leads them to publish abroad the faults of their intimate friends ?
Kural-189
'Tis charity, I ween, that makes the earth sustain their load.
Who, neighbours' absence watching, tales or slander tell abroad.
Meaning : The world through charity supports the weight of those who reproach others observing their absence.
Kural-190
If each his own, as neighbours' faults would scan,
Could any evil hap to living man?
Meaning : If they observed their own faults as they observe the faults of others, would any evil happen to men ?