Imam Khomeini explains the matter through his theological works as follwoing:
God forbid that a man, due to the multitude of his sins he should be expelled and blocked from the presence of God the Almighty, and that he should be bereft of the divine mercy, so that there is no other way for him to remain forever in the fire of hell.
Keep disputes and strife far from your hearts. Behave well with people, and in company, and be compassionate and kind. Of course, you are not to be nice to sinners with regard to their sins and rebelliousness.
Show respect to the learned with regard to their knowledge, to those on the path of guidance with regard to their virtue, and to the ignorant and unlearned, for they are also the servants of God, Imam further explained.
You want to refine and guide the community, but how can one who is not able to reform and manage himself guide and manage others?
Have good behavior; be kind, honest and brotherly. Refine yourselves.
It has been recalled through a series of memoirs that there was no place for backbiting, impolite talk or indecent comments wherever Imam had been present.