We must set up a strong present tense against all rumors of wrath, past and to come.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Gossip has been well defined as putting two and two together, and making it five.
—Anonymous
Of course we women gossip on occasion. But our appetite for it is not as avid as a man s. It is in the boys gyms, the college fraternity houses, the club locker rooms, the paneled offices of business that gossip reaches its luxuriant flower.
—Phyllis McGinley (1905–78) American Children’s Writer, Poet, Children’s Books Author
The only time people dislike gossip is when you gossip about them.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
Conversation is an exercise of the mind; gossip is merely an exercise of the tongue.
—Unknown
Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Your friend has a friend; don’t tell him.
—Chinese Proverb
At every word a reputation dies.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Gossip needn’t be false to be evil – there’s a lot of truth that shouldn’t be passed around.
—Frank A. Clark
Shun the inquisitive, for you will be sure to find him leaky. Open ears do not keep conscientiously what has been intrusted to them, and a word once spoken flies, never to be recalled.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
As to people saying a few idle words about us, we must not mind that any more than the old church steeple minds the rooks cawing about it.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Narrow-minded and ignorant persons talk about persons and not things; hence gossip is the bane and disgrace of so large a portion of society.
—Anonymous
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
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
There are two good rules which ought to be written on every heart; never to believe anything bad about anybody unless you positively know it to be true; and never to tell that unless you feel that it is absolutely necessary, and that God is listening while you tell it.
—Henry van Dyke Jr. (1852–1933) American Author, Educator, Clergyman
Thy friend has a friend, and thy friend’s friend has a friend; be discreet.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Loose tongues are worse than wicked hands.
—Yiddish Proverb
He who hunts for flowers will finds flowers; and he who loves weeds will find weeds.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
If you are told that such an one speaks ill of you, make no defense against what was said, but answer, “He surely knew not my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these only!”
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
He who discommendeth others obliquely commendeth himself.
—Thomas Browne (1605–82) English Author, Physician
Gossip is the Devil’s radio.
—George Harrison (1943–2001) English Singer
Live so that you wouldn.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
Gossip is when you hear something you like about someone, you don’t.
—Earl Wilson (1907–87) American Broadway Gossip Columnist
A gossip is one who talks to you about others; a bore is one who talks to you about himself; and a brilliant conversationalist is one who talks to you about yourself.
—Lisa Kirk (1925–1990) American Stage, Film, Television Performer
Gossip is charming! History is merely gossip. But scandal is gossip made tedious by morality.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Sight before hearsay.
—Danish Proverb
She poured a little social sewage into his ears.
—George Meredith (1828–1909) British Novelist, Poet, Critic
A malignant sore throat is a danger, a malignant throat not sore is worse.
—U.S. Proverb
Show me someone who never gossips, and I’ll show you someone who isn’t interested in people.
—Barbara Walters (1929–2022) American Broadcast Journalist
Gossip is a sort of smoke that comes from the dirty tobacco-pipes of those who diffuse it; it proves nothing but the bad taste of the smoker.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
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