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.

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

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

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.]

And though you duck them ne'er so long,
Not one salt drop e'er wets their tongue;
On read more

And though you duck them ne'er so long,
Not one salt drop e'er wets their tongue;
On eagles' wings immortal scandals fly,
While virtuous actions are but borne to die.

Scandal: gossip made tedious by morality.

Scandal: gossip made tedious by morality.

Scandal is what one half of the world takes pleasure inventing, and the other half in believing.

Scandal is what one half of the world takes pleasure inventing, and the other half in believing.

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.

Old maids sweeten their tea with scandal.

Old maids sweeten their tea with scandal.