Though you speak unkind words to a man's face,
Do not speak words behind his back heedless of consequent harm.

Though every word is full of kindly virtue,
A man's mean back-biting will betray his empty heart.

If a man spreads tales of others' faults,
His own worst faults will be exposed and spread.

-Tirukkural 19: 184-186
Excerpted from the Tirukkural, translated by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. www.himalayanacademy.com.