Curse thee—cursed others— Speaking evil of thee—hast spoken evil of others. Symmachus in both these places renders the word by λοιδορειν. Many good men's consciences will never accuse them of having cursed others; but where is he who never spoke an evil word of his neighbour? These two verses contain the fifth and last advice. The tranquillity of our mind is not to be disturbed by every idle report or discourse wherein we are wronged. We must not even mind such reports, lest we should find our servants among those who revile us; which, though very common, is even more provoking than to be slandered by strangers. A very proper motive is added to enforce that advice. We may know from our own experience upon what slight foundations scandal is generally grounded; and that it is the way of the world, even for the best men to be sometimes evil spoken of; since it has been too often our case, in our unregenerate state, not to be so sparing as we ought of other men's characters: Ecclesiastes 7:22.
Related Commentaries of Ecclesiastes 7:21
Ecclesiastes 7:21-22
21 Also takeh no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.