The mightier man, the mightier is the thing
That makes him honored or begets him hate;
For read more

The mightier man, the mightier is the thing
That makes him honored or begets him hate;
For greatest scandal waits on greatest state.

And there's a lust in man no charm can tame
Of loudly publishing our neighbour's shame;
On read more

And there's a lust in man no charm can tame
Of loudly publishing our neighbour's shame;
On eagles' wings immortal scandals fly,
While virtuous actions are but borne to die.

Dead scandals form good subjects for dissection.

Dead scandals form good subjects for dissection.

Everybody says it, and what everybody says must be true.

Everybody says it, and what everybody says must be true.

Her mouth is a honey-blossom, No doubt, as the poet sings; But within her lips, the petals, Lurks read more

Her mouth is a honey-blossom, No doubt, as the poet sings; But within her lips, the petals, Lurks a cruel bee that stings.

The mind conscious of innocence despises false reports: but we
are a set always ready to believe a scandal.
read more

The mind conscious of innocence despises false reports: but we
are a set always ready to believe a scandal.
[Lat., Conscia mens recti famae mendacia risit:
Sed nos in vitium credula turba sumus.]

Scandal dies sooner of itself, than we could kill it.

Scandal dies sooner of itself, than we could kill it.

How awful to reflect that what people say of us is true.

How awful to reflect that what people say of us is true.

The objection of the scandalmonger is not that she tells of racy doings, but that she pretends to be indignant read more

The objection of the scandalmonger is not that she tells of racy doings, but that she pretends to be indignant about them.