Gossip is the tool of the poet, the shoptalk of the scientist and the consolation of the housewife, wit, tycoon and intellectual. It begins in the nursery and ends when speech is past.
—Phyllis McGinley (1905–78) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Writer of Children’s Books
What you don’t see with your eyes, don’t witness with your mouth.
—Yiddish Proverb
Gossip is sometimes referred to as halitosis of the mind.
—Unknown
Alas! they had been friends in youth; but whispering tongues can poison truth.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they please.
—Pythagoras (570–495 BCE) Greek Philosopher
Where no wood is, the fire goes out; so where there is no tale bearer, the strife ceaseth.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Your friend has a friend; don’t tell him.
—Chinese Proverb
A malignant sore throat is a danger, a malignant throat not sore is worse.
—U.S. Proverb
Gossip is the opiate of the oppressed.
—Erica Jong (b.1942) American Novelist, Feminist
Live that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
In private life I never knew anyone interfere with other people’s disputes but he heartily repented of it.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
A long-tongued, babbling gossip.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Don’t waste your time with explanations: people only hear what they want to hear.
—Paulo Coelho (b.1947) Brazilian Songwriter, Novelist
An expert gossiper knows how much to leave out of a conversation.
—Unknown
Don’t speak evil of someone if you don’t know for certain, and if you do know ask yourself, why am I telling it?
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
Young people do not perceive at once that the giver of wounds is the enemy and the quoted tattle merely the arrow.
—Unknown
Gossip is only the lack of a worthy memory.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
The flying rumors gathered as they rolled, and all who told it added something new, and all who heard it made enlargement too; in every ear it spreads, on every tongue it grew.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
He who hunts for flowers will finds flowers; and he who loves weeds will find weeds.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks, but only at what he does himself, to make it just and holy.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
Nobody’s interested in sweetness and light.
—Hedda Hopper (1885–1966) American Actress, Gossip Columnist
Gossip is what no one claims to like—but everyone enjoys.
—Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) Polish-born British Novelist
None are so fond of secrets as those who do not mean to keep them; such persons covet secrets as a spendthrift covets money, for the purpose of circulation.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Live so that you wouldn
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
When of a gossiping circle it was asked, What are they doing? The answer was, Swapping lies.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816) Irish-born British Playwright, Poet, Elected Rep
Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
Our globe discovers its bidden virtues, not only in heroes and arch-angels, but in gossips and nurses.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.
—Spanish Proverb
Speak no evil of the dead.
—Chilon of Sparta (c.556 BCE) Spartan Magistrate