The Sages who offer guidance and criticism to their contemporaries in order to improve them sweeten the harsh judgements and cause peace to spread throughout the world. It is impossible to learn from the guidance and criticism of the Sages without having faith. When a person is lacking in faith he can easily come to atheism and believe in false ideologies. Because of his attitude of scorn and derision, he will not listen to criticism and guidance from the true moralists at all. One must guard one's faith and see that it is not deficient in any way.
Faith is the key to holiness.
When you act on criticism and improve yourself you can come to perform acts of charity and kindness and in this way overcome the influence of false beliefs. You should always talk to your friends about spiritual matters. Because at times even a secular conversation can give you ideas and inspire you spiritually. The main thing is that you should discuss spiritual matters with your friends all the time. There are some whose authority extends over their own household.