St John of Kronstadt - When we hear anything bad said of anyone...

When we hear anything bad said of anyone, then, inwardly comparing him with ourselves, we say in our heart: 

"I am not such; I am perfection in comparison to him," and thinking thus of ourselves and inwardly judging others, we are delighted at our superiority over others.

This is the pride of Satan; this is the stench of the carnal, sinful man.
May such thoughts flee from the soul!

Let us consider ourselves as the worst of all men! 

Let us sigh when we hear anything bad said of anyone, and say to ourselves: 
"We are worse, a hundred times more sinful, than this man," and let us pray from our whole soul for the convicted brother.

St John of Kronstadt