It is a pity that man does not possess a self-preservation instinct that would encourage him to cut out his own tongue before it degenerates irreparably into slander. There are cases in which, if such an instinct existed, the biography would be quite different. One must think very carefully before giving in to this terrible impulse, which is all the more blinding the more just it seems. In general, one slanders those one knows best, and the best way to know someone is to form a close intimacy, which very rarely occurs without some degree of kindness and mutual cordiality—for which one ought to be grateful. One soon sees where all this leads: there is no more despicable trait than ingratitude.