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

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

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.

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.

A cruel story runs on wheels, and every hand oils the wheels as they run.

A cruel story runs on wheels, and every hand oils the wheels as they run.

So live that you wouldn't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.

So live that you wouldn't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.

There isn't much to be seen in a little town, but what you hear makes up for it.

There isn't much to be seen in a little town, but what you hear makes up for it.

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.

Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.

Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.

And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to
house; and not only idle, but tattlers read more

And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to
house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies,
speaking things which they ought not.