Sir,
I have observed that there is no one Vice which so universally prevails among all Ranks and Degrees of People, as that of Detraction; and I am persuaded that the Reason why it is so much indulged, is because it is so very easy, and affords a present Gratification to a narrow and malicious Mind.
There are some who make it their Business to enquire into the private Affairs of others, not with any Design of doing them Good, but merely to furnish themselves with Matter for Censure and Reflection. These People are perpetually employed in picking up little Stories, magnifying trifling Faults, and representing every Action in the worst Light that can possibly be given it.
It is indeed very extraordinary, that Men should take a Pleasure in depreciating the Characters of others, when they cannot do it without at the same time lessening their own. For he that is fond of finding Faults, gives but an ill Proof of his own Disposition; and whoever delights in spreading Reports to the Disadvantage of his Neighbour, declares himself an Enemy to Society.
For my own Part, I have always thought, that if Men would but employ the same Industry in correcting their own Errors, which they now use in exposing those of others, the World would be much happier than it is. It is much easier to find Faults than to mend them; but the former is a Mark of Ill-Nature, the latter of Wisdom and Benevolence.
I cannot therefore but recommend it to all who would live well with the World, to be very cautious how they give Credit to ill Reports, and still more careful how they propagate them. For if we would have our own Characters treated with Candour, we must learn to exercise the same Charity towards others.
I am, Sir,
Your humble Servant,
Silence Dogood
Notes on the Text
- This letter is presented using a widely accepted traditional transcription of Silence Dogood Letter No. 6.
- As with many early eighteenth-century newspaper publications, variations exist among surviving copies.
- Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation reflect period print conventions.
- Authorship was later attributed to Benjamin Franklin, though the letter was originally published anonymously.