Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. We may slander through breaking confidences. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
Flattery is another form of slander.
Flattery is forbidden in Scripture for it is the use of supposed compliments in order to use somebody. This does not speak of encouragement, thanks, giving honor, or praise. My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. Lying is involved in all slander. So come, let's attack him with our tongues and pay no attention to anything he says.