The rolling fictions grow in strength and size,
Each author adding to the former lies.

The rolling fictions grow in strength and size,
Each author adding to the former lies.

Enemies carry a report in form different from the original.
[Lat., Nam inimici famam non ita ut nata est read more

Enemies carry a report in form different from the original.
[Lat., Nam inimici famam non ita ut nata est ferunt.]

Rumor does not always err; it sometimes even elects a man.

Rumor does not always err; it sometimes even elects a man.

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.

What some invent the rest enlarge.

What some invent the rest enlarge.

Rumor is not always wrong

Rumor is not always wrong

Nature abhors a vacuum but why do most people hasten to fill in the blanks with garbage?

Nature abhors a vacuum but why do most people hasten to fill in the blanks with garbage?

Nobody believes a rumor here in Washington until it's officially denied.

Nobody believes a rumor here in Washington until it's officially denied.

Rumor is a pipe
Blown by surmises, jealousies, conjectures,
And of so easy and so plain a read more

Rumor is a pipe
Blown by surmises, jealousies, conjectures,
And of so easy and so plain a stop
That the blunt monster with uncounted heads,
The still-discordant wavering multitude,
Can play upon it.