Don't speak ill of a friend who isn't present. It's slander, even if it's the truth.
Don't speak ill of a friend who isn't present. It's slander, even if it's the truth.
This quote emphasizes the importance of loyalty and respect in friendships. It suggests that speaking negatively about a friend in their absence, regardless of whether the statements are true or not, is a form of slander. The core idea is that discussing a friend's faults or missteps when they are not there to defend themselves undermines trust and can harm the relationship. It highlights the ethical responsibility to protect a friend’s reputation and to promote a culture of support rather than criticism. True friendship requires upholding each other's dignity, which is why it's better to refrain from such discussions when the friend cannot be part of the conversation.
Quote By: Marcus Tullius Cicero