Detracting

Neither is there any thing in the condition of the laborer, more taxing to human exertion, more detracting from honorable self-respect, than any other occupation; on the contrary, agriculture, if we reason from realities, and not prejudices, is the truly noble occupation of life.

"In vino veritas," properly translated, means—that when a man is fairly under the influence of liquor, you see a strong manifestation of his real character. The vain man is vainer, the voluble, more voluble, the morose, more morose; the passionate, more passionate, the detractor, more detracting; the sycophant, more sycophantic, and so forth.

Probably nothing is more detracting and dissatisfying than buying a potted flowering plant which quits flowering as soon as it is taken home.

Emulations, heart-risings, evil jealousies, bitter speakings, detractings, and abundance of evil fruit, arise from this root of bitterness […]