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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Truth is not exciting enough to those who depend on the characters and lives of their neighbors for all their read more

Truth is not exciting enough to those who depend on the characters and lives of their neighbors for all their amusement.

Show me someone who never gossips, and I'll show you someone who isn't interested in people.

Show me someone who never gossips, and I'll show you someone who isn't interested in people.

Gossip is what no one claims to like -- but everyone enjoys.

Gossip is what no one claims to like -- but everyone enjoys.

Ah, well, the truth is always one thing, but in a way it's the other thing, the gossip, that counts. read more

Ah, well, the truth is always one thing, but in a way it's the other thing, the gossip, that counts. It shows where people's hearts lie.