7. In order not to be guilty of the sin of lashon hara, one has to be willing to forgo his honor. Therefore, one who takes part in a conversation that turns to lashon hara, must be careful not to join in, even if as a result of this, they will scorn and degrade him. The greater ones anguish, the greater is his reward.
8. The prohibition of lashon hara includes both the spoken word and the written word, whether it’s said in an outright fashion, or if it’s only hinted at.
9. If while speaking badly about another, one also condemns himself, it is still forbidden.