VBM Hurtful Speech By Harav Yehuda Amital

You shall not defraud each other, and you shall fear your God, for I am the Lord your God. (Vayikra 25:17) Rashi, quoting Chazal, comments as follows: Here [the Torah] warns concerning ona’at devarim (hurtful speech): a person should not vex his fellow, nor give him inappropriate advice that reflects the ways and interests of the advisor. And if a person should say, "How can anyone know if my intentions were bad?" – for that reason [the Torah] says, "You shall fear your God." The Knower of all thoughts will know.