What is told in the ear of a man is often heard 100 miles away. – Chinese Proverb
[T]hey liked their gossip strong and highly flavored, like their tea. – Louisa May Alcott, “Governess,” Work: A Story of Experience, 1873
Busy souls have no time to be busy-bodies. – Author unknown, quoted by Jacob M. Braude
Gossip is saying behind their back what you would not say to their face. Flattery is saying to their face what you would not say behind their back. – Author Unknown
If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees. – Khalil Gibran, Sand and Foam
When you are in trouble, people who call to sympathize are really looking for the particulars. – Edgar Watson Howe, Country Town Sayings, 1911
The easiest way to keep a secret is without help. – Author Unknown
A cruel story runs on wheels, and every hand oils the wheels as they run. – Ouida
Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you. – Spanish Proverb
Do not repeat anything you will not sign your name to. – Author Unknown
Nothing travels faster than light, with the possible exception of bad news, which follows its own rules. – Douglas Adams
Trying to squash a rumor is like trying to unring a bell. – Shana Alexander
There are persons who, when they cease to shock us, cease to interest us. – F.H. Bradley, Aphorisms
Some secrets are fires so scorching, the only way to quench the burn is to tell someone. – Terri Guillemets
Who brings a tale takes two away. – Irish Proverb
A rumor without a leg to stand on will get around some other way. – John Tudor
Gossip is just news running ahead of itself in a red satin dress. – Liz Smith
I resolve to speak ill of no man whatever, not even in a matter of truth; but rather by some means excuse the faults I hear charged upon others, and upon proper occasions speak all the good I know of everybody. – Benjamin Franklin
If an American was condemned to confine his activity to his own affairs, he would be robbed of one half of his existence. – Alexis de Tocqueville, 1835
