2478 To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor’s thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way:
Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another’s statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love. If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved.*280
*280 St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, 22
I have to admit that I don’t always succeed in following the above.
Chesterbelloc, you have us done great service in quoting this gem from the blessed Ignatius. I am going to “retweet” it frequently in this forum til I wear it out!
It’s good advice.