Shloka 5.22.17
रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः (Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply)
स त्वमिक्ष्वाकुनाथं वै क्षिपन्निह न लज्जसे।चक्षुषोर्विषयं तस्य न तावदुपगच्छसि।।।।
sa tvam ikṣvākunāthaṃ vai kṣipan iha na lajjase |cakṣuṣor viṣayaṃ tasya na tāvad upagacchasi ||
And yet you are not ashamed to disparage the lord of the Ikṣvākus here, because you have not yet come within the range of his eyes—his direct presence.
"You are not ashamed of belittling Rama in his absence. You have not yet walked into his sight.
Dharma rejects dishonorable speech and backbiting: it is cowardly to insult a virtuous person only in their absence.
Sītā points out that Rāvaṇa dares to insult Rāma only because Rāma is not physically present before him.
Commitment to satya and honor—Sītā demands integrity in word and deed, even from an enemy.