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
He gossips habitually; he lacks the common wisdom to keep still that deadly enemy of man, his own tongue
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
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
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
Discretion of speech is more than eloquence; and to speak agreeably to him with whom we deal is more than to speak in good words or in good order.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
We must set up a strong present tense against all rumors of wrath, past and to come.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Tale bearers are just as bad as tale makers.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816) Irish-born British Playwright, Poet, Elected Rep
The objection of the scandalmonger is not that she tells of racy doings, but that she pretends to be indignant about them.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
Don’t waste your time with explanations: people only hear what they want to hear.
—Paulo Coelho (b.1947) Brazilian Songwriter, Novelist
There is a set of malicious, prating, prudent gossips, both male and female, who murder characters to kill time; and will rob a young fellow of his good name before he has years to know the value of it.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816) Irish-born British Playwright, Poet, Elected Rep
Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they please.
—Pythagoras (570–495 BCE) Greek Philosopher
I lay it down as a fact that if all men knew what others say of them, there would not be four friends in the world.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
News-hunters have great leisure, with little thought; much petty ambition to be thought intelligent, without any other pretension than being able to communicate what they have just learned.
—Johann Georg Ritter von Zimmermann (1728–1795) Swiss Philosophical Writer, Naturalist, Physician
It’s an indulgence to sit in a room and discuss your beliefs as if they were a juicy piece of gossip.
—Lillian Hellman (1905–84) American Dramatist, Memoirist
Gossip is only the lack of a worthy memory.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
Gossiping and lying go hand in hand.
—Common Proverb
Thy friend has a friend, and thy friend’s friend has a friend; be discreet.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Sight before hearsay.
—Danish Proverb
There are many who dare not kill themselves for fear of what the neighbors will say.
—Cyril Connolly (1903–74) British Literary Critic, Writer
The things most people want to know about are usually none of their business.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
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 Books Writer, Poet, Writer of Children’s Books
A long-tongued, babbling gossip.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Your friend has a friend; don’t tell him.
—Chinese Proverb
Conversation is an exercise of the mind; gossip is merely an exercise of the tongue.
—Unknown
One eye witness is better than ten hear sayers.
—Plautus (Titus Maccius Plautus) (c.250–184 BCE) Roman Comic Playwright
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
A cruel story runs on wheels, and every hand oils the wheels as they run.
—Ouida (Maria Louise Rame) (1839–1908) English Novelist
Young people do not perceive at once that the giver of wounds is the enemy and the quoted tattle merely the arrow.
—Unknown
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