For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?

For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?

He's gone, and who knows how may he report
Thy words by adding fuel to the flame?

He's gone, and who knows how may he report
Thy words by adding fuel to the flame?

Rumor, than which no evil flies more swiftly. She flourishes as she flies, gains strength by mere motion. Small at read more

Rumor, than which no evil flies more swiftly. She flourishes as she flies, gains strength by mere motion. Small at first and in fear, she soon rises to heaven, Walks upon land and hides her head in the clouds.

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.

Gossip is a sort of smoke that comes from the dirty tobacco-pipes
of those who diffuse it; it proves read more

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.

Count not him among your friends who will retail your privacies to the world.

Count not him among your friends who will retail your privacies to the world.

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 is a lust in man no charm can tame: Of loudly publishing his neighbor's shame: On eagles wings immortal read more

There is a lust in man no charm can tame: Of loudly publishing his neighbor's shame: On eagles wings immortal scandals fly, while virtuous actions are born and die.

You do not know it but you are the talk of all the town.
[Lat., Fabula (nec sentis) tota read more

You do not know it but you are the talk of all the town.
[Lat., Fabula (nec sentis) tota jactaris in urba.]