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.

Of every ten persons who talk about you, nine will say something bad, and the tenth will say something good read more

Of every ten persons who talk about you, nine will say something bad, and the tenth will say something good in a bad way.

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

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

There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that read more

There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behaves any of us to find fault with the rest of us.

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love: but he that
repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love: but he that
repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

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.

Report, that which no evil thing of any kind is more swift,
increases with travel and gains strength by read more

Report, that which no evil thing of any kind is more swift,
increases with travel and gains strength by its progress.
[Lat., Fama, malum quo non aliud velocius ullum,
Mobilitate viget, viresque acquirit eundo.]

Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.

Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.

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

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