The avid gossiper is aptly compared by our sages to a rabid dog.

The Divine Presence does not dwell amongst those who speak negatively of others.

Lashon hara is a greater sin than the three cardinal sins of adultery, murder and idolatry.

Protecting one's mouth from speaking gossip is essential to preserve one's merits. This is because when one speaks negatively of another, his own merits are transferred to the one he spoke of, and they are replaced with the bad that was meant for him as well.

When one is careful not to speak gossip, he merits eternal life and only good in this world as well.

When someone speaks negatively about others, it creates an aura of spiritual negativity and arouses negative judgments on the Jewish people, heaven forbid.

When someone speaks negatively about others, it creates an aura of spiritual negativity and arouses negative judgments on the Jewish people, heaven forbid.

Another important reason to avoid negative speech is because the way we interact with others and judge them is the way that we are judged as well.

The Chofetz Chaim continues to explain why Dovid Hamelech tells us that the one who desires life should specifically be careful about harmful speech.

The Chofetz Chaim begins to explain why Dovid Hamelech tells us that the one who desires life should specifically be careful about harmful speech.