The above line from Thumper demonstrates that the fictional character truly understood the importance of the Biblical injunction to not hurt people with words. In many ways Jewish law equates slander with murder, and the obligation we are given to not aggrieve one another carries the Rabbinic demand to maintain a civil tongue.
As Rabbi A.L. Scheinbaum reminds us, the obligations we have to one another, and especially the importance of not harming with words, is far reaching. If we hurt someone physically, the pain will go away, the wounds will heal. But the wounds of public humiliation, of destroyed reputation, never go away.
The story is told of a group of individuals who are very careful to not accidently consume an insect on fruit or on vegetables. They inspect every piece they might eat to make sure they will not inadvertently sin. And as they sit around consuming the food prepared with such care, they talk vilely of others who disagree with them and spread stories, whether true or false, about those they do not like – making facial expressions and laughing cruelly.
Rav Baruch commented that in the presence of these people, he would prefer to be treated like the bug – at least the bugs were respected for what they were.
We are admonished to respect all people and to treat them with dignity. This is the case regardless of their position, religious affiliation, or level of observance. This applies even if their actions are contemptible. We may be upset by their actions, but we are not allowed to denigrate them or to publically humiliate them.
That which is hateful to you, do not do to any other.
B’Shalom
Rabbi Stanley Halpern