Never Speak Ill of Others”: Lessons from a Schoolyard Incident

In this episode, we dive into a recent experience my daughter shared: her classmates were happily hanging out until one student left—at which point they instantly began speaking negatively about that person. Disturbed by the sudden shift and anxious that others might talk about her behind her back as well, my daughter came home feeling uneasy. We’ll reflect on this situation through the lens of Yujiro Ishihara’s quote: “Never speak ill of others. Forget what you do for others right away, and never forget what others do for you.” We’ll also discuss why people resort to negative talk, how we can avoid it, and how focusing on gratitude and mutual respect makes for a healthier, more supportive environment.