Foul whisp'rings are abroad.

Foul whisp'rings are abroad.

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.

An expert gossiper knows how much to leave out of a conversation

An expert gossiper knows how much to leave out of a conversation

Hearts that are delicate and kind, and tongues that are neither -- these makes the finest company in the world.

Hearts that are delicate and kind, and tongues that are neither -- these makes the finest company in the world.

Report, that which no evil thing of any kind is more swift,
increases with travel and gains strength by read more

Report, that which no evil thing of any kind is more swift,
increases with travel and gains strength by its progress.
[Lat., Fama, malum quo non aliud velocius ullum,
Mobilitate viget, viresque acquirit eundo.]

What people say behind your back is your standing in the community.

What people say behind your back is your standing in the community.

Gossip needn't be false to be evil - there's a lot of truth that shouldn't be passed around.

Gossip needn't be false to be evil - there's a lot of truth that shouldn't be passed around.

There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that read more

There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behaves any of us to find fault with the rest of us.

One who is too wise an observer of the business of others, like one who is too curious in observing read more

One who is too wise an observer of the business of others, like one who is too curious in observing the labor of bees, will often be stung for his curiosity.