Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour (himself), and discover not a secret to another. Even when thy cause of debate is just, go and deal directly with the principal, instead of 'discovering to another' the offence which ought to be "a secret" (Matthew 18:15). When third parties intervene, the pride of the principal is roused not to yield. So Abraham with Lot (Genesis 12:6-9), and with Abimelech (Genesis 21:25-32); Jepthah with the King of Ammon (Judges 11:12-27). Do not blacken your adversary's character to establish that you are right in the quarrel. Mention only what is to the point at issue; not other things committed to you as secrets, or which, however known, ought to be kept secret. To tell one's own secrets is folly; to tell our neighbour's secrets is treachery. Disputants too often bring forward everything, however irrelevant.