Monday, April 24, 2006

Bloggers take note


"Of Unseemly Words and the Respect Due to Others

One of the most evil dispositions possible is that which satirizes everything and turns it to ridicule....Nothing is so opposed to Charity, much more to a devout spirit, as contempt and deprication of one's neighbor, and where satire and ridicule exist, contempt must be.
...[C]ontempt is a grievous sin...ridicule is the greatest sin we can commit in word against our neighbor, inasmuch as when we offend him any other way there may be still some respect for him in our heart, but we are sure to despise those whom we ridicule. ...Ridicule excites mirth at the expense of one's neighbor; seemly mirth and playful fun never lose sight of a trustful, kindly courtesy, which can wound no one."

St. Francis de Sales, "Introduction to the Devout Life" New York: Vintage Spiritual Classics, 2002. P. 150

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