Some people try to build themselves up by speaking against others. They believe that talking about the faults and limitations of others makes themselves seem better and more elevated than those people.
It is a total illusion to think that you are actually building yourself up when you put others down. Speaking against other people is a violation of the Torah commandment to refrain from speaking lashon hara (negative speech). Someone who speaks against others without a practical and constructive purpose is lowering himself by doing so.
Every time you control what you say and don't speak against others, you become a higher and more elevated person.
(From Rabbi Zelig Pliskin's book: "Building Your Self- image and the Self-image of Others" (Artscroll) Chapter 61)
See more Daily Lifts on the topic of
Dealing with others
NEW BOOK!
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin's new book has just been published by Artscroll:
SELF-CONFIDENCE:
Formulas, Stories, and Insights.
Self-confidence allows you to create goals -- and reach them. It lets you learn from your failures -- and move on to triumphs. It helps you
transform your potential into real achievement. With the help of Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, you will gain that self-confidence.
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin is the author of 25 books with his specialty in mastering happiness and other positive inner resources.
His last 15 books include: "Taking Action", "Happiness", "Kindness", "Courage", "Serenity", "Building Your Self-image" "Conversations with
Yourself" and "Marriage." These books are available at: Artscroll.com.
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About the Author
More by this Author >
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin is a noted psychologist and prolific author of 24 books, including Guard Your Tongue, Gateway to Happiness, Gateway to Self Knowledge, Love Your Neighbor, Growth Through Torah, The Power of Words, Consulting the Wise, and the recent Life is Now. Rabbi Pliskin lives in Jerusalem, and is the director of Aish HaTorah's Counseling Center and a senior lecturer at Aish's Essentials program and the Executive Learning Center. He was ordained at the Telshe Yeshiva in Ohio and holds a degree in Counseling Psychology.
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