Well, that's the whole point of the story, to make us scared and contrite.  It should not end up in fear, though, because God's Mercy can overcome any sin, provided that we are contrite and have a firm purpose of amendment.  For backbiting to be a mortal sin, and thus worthy of hellfire (vs. venial sin meriting time in Purgatory) it would have to involve relatively grave matter or extreme malice.  Of course, as with all venial sin, when it becomes habitual and chronic (as often happens with backbiting), each offense lessens our degree of fraternal charity until it becomes impossible to remain in a state of grace.

This is why I don't tend to post frivolously online, and why I try to keep it objective.

Everything I write online, will be available to everyone pretty much for a very very long time. Never write a post when you are angry, stay away from the keyboard.

Yes, this is one of those virtues that really is the hardest to keep. How all the Saints kept such diligent custody of their tongue, is to their merit. Since this has to be one of those vices that is done so frequently with such impunity, that you can't even remember remotely just how much you have done it. Like a good accountant, it would be a good idea, to do your daily accounting (examination of conscience) go over how often you have sinned in this way.

Brother Thomas A Kempis, was quite fond of saying in his magnum Opus, Imitation of Christ. That if we would but conquer one vice per year, by the end of our lives we would be Saints.

If you have any more material of that sort, please post it. Its always an excellent reminder to all of us, what the Catholic moral standard is.