ersons who are
notorious for this Practice. It generally takes its Rise either from an
Ill-will to Mankind, a private Inclination to make our selves esteemed,
an Ostentation of Wit, a Vanity of being thought in the Secrets of the
World, or from a Desire of gratifying any of these Dispositions of Mind
in those Persons with whom we converse.

The Publisher of Scandal is more or less odious to Mankind, and criminal
in himself, as he is influenced by any one or more of the foregoing
Motives. But whatever may be the Occasion of spreading these false
Reports, he ought to consider, that the Effect of them is equally
prejudicial and pernicious to the Person at whom they are aimed. The
Injury is the same, tho' the Principle from whence it proceeds may be
different.

As every one looks upon himself with too much Indulgence, when he passes
a Judgment on his own Thoughts or Actions, and as very few would be
thought guilty of this abominable Proceeding, which is so universally
practised, and, at the same time, so universally blamed, I shall lay
down three Rules by which I would have a Man examine and search into his
own Heart, before he stands acquitted to himself of that evil
Disposition of Mind which I am here mentioning.

_First_ of all, Let him consider whether he does not take Delight in
hearing the Faults of others.

_Secondly_, Whether he is not too apt to believe such little blackning
Accounts, and more inclined to be credulous on the uncharitable than
on the good-natured Side.

_Thirdly_, Whether he is not ready to spread and propagate such
Reports as tend to the Disreputation of another. These are the several
Steps by which this Vice proceeds, and grows up into Slander and
Defamation.

In the first Place, A Man who takes delight in hearing the Faults of
others, shows sufficiently that he has a true Relish of Scandal, and
consequently the Seeds of this Vice within him. If his mind is gratified
with hearing the Reproaches [which [1]] are cast on others, he will find
the same Pleasure in relating them, and be the more apt to do it, as he
will naturally imagine every one he converses with is delighted in the
same manner with himself. A Man should endeavour therefore to wear out
of his Mind this criminal Curiosity, which is perpetually heightened and
inflamed by listening to such Stories as tend to the Disreputation of
others.

In the second Place, a Man should consult his own Heart, whether he be
no