21. Are there cases in which it is useful to disclose someone else’s evil?

This question is very delicate, and it is here that one must appeal to charity rightly understood. If a person’s imperfections are harmful to that person alone, it would never be useful to disclose them. However, if they might cause harm to others, it is preferable to take into account the interests of the majority against the interests of only one. Depending on the circumstances, unmasking hypocrisy and falsehood may comprise an obligation because it is better for one person to fall than for several to become his or her victims. In such a case, one must weigh the sum of the advantages and disadvantages.

St. Louis (Paris, 1860)