Whoever keeps an open ear
For tattlers will be sure to hear
The trumpet of contention.

Whoever keeps an open ear
For tattlers will be sure to hear
The trumpet of contention.

Of every ten persons who talk about you, nine will say something bad, and the tenth will say something good read more

Of every ten persons who talk about you, nine will say something bad, and the tenth will say something good in a bad way.

No one gossips about other people's secret virtues.

No one gossips about other people's secret virtues.

And all who told it added something new, and all who heard it, made enlargements too.

And all who told it added something new, and all who heard it, made enlargements too.

Ah, well, the truth is always one thing, but in a way it's the other thing, the gossip, that counts. read more

Ah, well, the truth is always one thing, but in a way it's the other thing, the gossip, that counts. It shows where people's hearts lie.

But conversation, choose what theme we may,
And chiefly when religion leads the way,
Should flow, like read more

But conversation, choose what theme we may,
And chiefly when religion leads the way,
Should flow, like waters after summer show'rs,
Not as if raised by mere mechanic powers.

We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God
in company.

We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God
in company.

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love: but he that
repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love: but he that
repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.

The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.