Respectfully correcting one's elders

What should a person do when they are unnecessarily scolded or taunted just because they speak the truth or cant stand injustice and those doing so are one's elders in authority? Should a person speak up when he finds some wrongdoing or be numb and don't react and be a hypocrite for the sake of survival in a negative environment which unfortunately has become common in our modern society. What does Islam say about it as there are many people who deal with difficult ones either for the sake of jobs or family peace and work.