440. Wronging Others through Words

63:2 Examples of ways in which one person might wrong another through words include inquiring as to the price of an object when he has no intention of purchasing it, sending a person on a wild-goose chase, and reminding one who was not born religiously-observant of his former ways. If someone is undergoing suffering, one should not address him like Job's friends did, blaming one's faith (or lack thereof) for his troubles. If asked about some subject in which he is an expert, one should not ask another, who is not informed in the matter, "What do you think?" Any other such examples of words that could cause others distress also constitute verbal oppression.

63:3 If a person has an uncomplimentary nickname, even if he is used to it and it doesn't embarrass him, it is nevertheless forbidden to call him by this name if one's intention is to disparage him. This is also considered verbal oppression.