We should mind our own business
and not the business of others.
This advice from Great Master Yinguang speaks to us of gossiping, a habit we all indulge in far too often. Consider what you talk about. The book you just read, or what you heard someone did at the party last night? A project you’re working on, or your co-workers?
When we gossip, we indulge in speculation and we spread rumors. But even if what we say is true, is it our business to talk about it? Would we be uncomfortable if the person overheard what we said? We can tell ourselves that that person will never know. But the one we told knows. Perhaps this person will think less of us for gossiping. Most likely, we will have planted negative thoughts in our listener’s mind. How? Rarely is gossip about wonderful things. Ultimately, gossip spreads perceived wrongdoings.
Instead of talking about what others have done, we need to focus on our own behavior and correct our faults before we become an item of gossip.