What is Sai Baba's guidance on the practice of slander and gossip?

According to the teachings presented in Chapter 19, one should never engage in slander. If you find someone's conduct to be blameworthy, the proper course of action is to instruct them directly to their face, understanding their situation, rather than speaking ill of them behind their back. The text humorously notes that a slanderer, in a way, acts as a benefactor to the person they criticize by pointing out their faults and cleansing their 'dirt' with their tongue. However, in doing so, the slanderer suffers their own mental and spiritual downfall. This highlights the severe negative consequences of slander for the one who partakes in it, even as it paradoxically 'helps' the one being slandered.