Principle 10 · Opening Commentsfrom Chafetz Chaim

בִּכְלָל זֶה יְבֹאַר קְצַת פְּרָטִים מִן לָשׁוֹן הָרָע, שֶׁבֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ, דְּהַיְנוּ אִם אֶחָד גָּזַל לַחֲבֵרוֹ, אוֹ עָשַׁק, וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה, אוֹ אֶחָד גָּזַל אוֹתוֹ, אוֹ עֲשָׁקוֹ, אוֹ חֵרְפוֹ, בְּאֵיזֶה אֹפֶן מֻתָּר לְגַלּוֹת דָּבָר זֶה לַאֲנָשִׁים, וּבוֹ י"ז סְעִיפִים.

In this principle there will be explained some of the details of avak lashon hara "between man and his neighbor" — that is, if one stole from his neighbor or wronged him or the like, or if someone stole from him or wronged him or insulted him — how is it permitted to reveal this to others.

הִנֵּה לְעֵיל בִּכְלָל ד' בֵּאַרְנוּ דִּין לָשׁוֹן הָרָע מֵהָעִנְיָנִים, שֶׁבֵּין אָדָם לַמָּקוֹם, וְעתָּה נַתְחִיל בְּעֶזְרַת ה' לְבָאֵר דִּין לָשׁוֹן הָרָע מֵהָעִנְיָנִים, שֶׁבֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ, וְחִלַּקְנוּהוּ בִּכְלָל בִּפְנֵי עַצְמוֹ, עְבוּר כִּי הוּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה לְדִינָא בְּהַרְבֵּה עִנְיָנִים, וְזֶה הֵחֵלִי בְּעֶזְרַת הַחוֹנֵן לְאָדָם דַּעַת.

Above, in Principle IV, we explained the din of lashon hara in the area of "between man and his Maker." Now we shall begin, with the L–rd's help, to explain the din in the area of "between man and his neighbor." We have divided this into a principle by itself because its din is different in many ways. This I begin with the help of Him who grants a man knowledge.