Chazal say that embarrassing someone is tantamount to killing the person.
Seems extreme and exaggerated.
Upon further reflection - it isn't.
The fact is that there have been numerous cases of suicide after people were publicly humiliated [sometimes justifiably]. In the frum community, we have two high profile personalities who attempted to kill themselves [one succeeded, one didn't] after having been humiliated [one would argue justifiably, if the allegations against them were true].
Mussar Haskel: People would rather be dead than embarrassed. A person's kavod is more valuable to him than his life. GIVE PEOPLE KAVOD!!! Make them feel special. From the negative [the extreme feelings engendered by being embarrassed] we can learn about the positive side. In the language of the Maharal: ידיעת ההפכים אחת היא. Shaming is killing. Enhancing someone's sense of importance is life giving.
