# Quotes about gossip - Quotes: 63 - Authors: 55 - Broader topic: [Quotes about relationships](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/relationships.md) - Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip - JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.json ## Quotes > The general practice is for the secret to be confided only to an equally trustworthy friend, the same conditions being imposed on him. And so from trustworthy friend to trustworthy friend the secret goes moving on round that immense chain, until finally it reaches the ears of just the very person or persons whom the first talker had expressly intended it never should reach. [Alessandro Manzoni](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alessandro-manzoni.md) · [The Betrothed](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alessandro-manzoni/the-betrothed.md) · p. 155 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alessandro-manzoni/the-betrothed/the-general-practice.md) Topics: [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Hence would he sow dark rumours in the crowd. [Virgil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil.md) · [The Aeneid](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-aeneid.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-aeneid/hence-would-he-sow.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Rumor, swiftest of all the evils in the world. [Virgil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil.md) · [The Aeneid](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-aeneid.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-aeneid/rumor-swiftest-of-all.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Be it true or false, what is said about men often has as much influence upon their lives, and especially upon their destinies, as what they do. [Victor Hugo](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo.md) · [Les Miserables](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo/les-miserables.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo/les-miserables/be-it-true.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md), [reputation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reputation.md) > News of good behavior never gets past the door, but a scandal is heard of a thousand li away. [Shī Nàiān](https://www.leafyquotes.com/shi-naian.md) · [The Water Margin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/shi-naian/the-water-margin.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/shi-naian/the-water-margin/news-of-good.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > The mind, conscious of rectitude, laughed to scorn the falsehood of report. [Ovid](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ovid.md) · [Fasti](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ovid/fasti.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ovid/fasti/the-mind-conscious.md) Topics: [conscience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conscience.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > As for talkers and futile persons, they are commonly vain and credulous withal. For he that talketh what he knoweth, will also talk what he knoweth not. [Francis Bacon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon.md) · [The Essays](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-essays.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-essays/as-for-talkers.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > History a distillation of Rumour. [Thomas Carlyle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-carlyle.md) · [The French Revolution](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-carlyle/the-french-revolution.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-carlyle/the-french-revolution/history-a-distillation.md) Topics: [history](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/history.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > At every word a reputation dies. [Alexander Pope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexander-pope.md) · [The Rape of the Lock](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexander-pope/the-rape-of-the-lock.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexander-pope/the-rape-of-the-lock/at-every-word.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Heads turned. This was gossip of the very first water—pure pharmaceutical-grade gossip. [Lev Grossman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman.md) · [The Magician's Land](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians-land.md) · p. 256 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians-land/heads-turned-this.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Namir would know all the uses of scandal and innuendo and half-truths. Strange weapons, so easy to take up, the stain indelible on user and victim. [Edgar Pangborn](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-pangborn.md) · [A Mirror for Observers](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-pangborn/a-mirror-for-observers.md) · p. 69 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-pangborn/a-mirror-for-observers/namir-would-know.md) Topics: [lies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/lies.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > If you’d keep your nose out of things that don’t concern you, you wouldn’t hear so much that offends you. [David Eddings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-eddings.md) · [The Redemption of Althalus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-eddings/the-redemption-of-althalus.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-eddings/the-redemption-of-althalus/if-youd-keep.md) Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Sometimes I think the human animal doesn't really need food or water to survive, only gossip. [Steve Toltz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steve-toltz.md) · [A Fraction Of The Whole](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steve-toltz/a-fraction-of-the-whole.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steve-toltz/a-fraction-of-the-whole/sometimes-i-think.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > First law of gossip—there’s no point knowing something if somebody else doesn’t know you know it. [Ben Aaronovitch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch.md) · [Moon Over Soho](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/moon-over-soho.md) · p. 239 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/moon-over-soho/first-law-of-gossip-theres.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > History is the world’s most egotistical gossip. [Jim C. Hines](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines.md) · [Revisionary](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines/revisionary.md) · p. 88 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines/revisionary/history-is-the.md) Topics: [history](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/history.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > “The biggest liar in the world is They Say,’” I muttered. “Douglas Malloch.” [Jim C. Hines](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines.md) · [Libriomancer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines/libriomancer.md) · p. 78 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines/libriomancer/the-biggest-liar.md) Topics: [lies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/lies.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Copper River was a small, tightly knit town. If gossip was a competitive sport, we’d have been sending teams to the Olympics and bringing back gold. [Jim C. Hines](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines.md) · [Codex Born](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines/codex-born.md) · p. 286 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines/codex-born/copper-river-was.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Like frustrated suburban wives we fed on each other's discontent; we became divided into mean little cliques and subdivided into jealously shifting pairs of buddies, and we pieced out our idleness with gossip. [Richard Yates](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-yates.md) · [Eleven Kinds of Loneliness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-yates/eleven-kinds-of-loneliness.md) · p. 40 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-yates/eleven-kinds-of-loneliness/like-frustrated-suburban.md) Topics: [boredom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/boredom.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > “But remember, it was all hearsay.” > > “In Washington, hearsay’s the same as gospel truth.” [Charles Sheffield](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield.md) · [Aftermath](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/aftermath.md) · p. 454 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/aftermath/but-remember-it-was.md) Topics: [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > …I had learnt that the most effective way to spread a story was to tell it to one or two Arabs under a pledge of secrecy. [Wilfred Thesiger](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilfred-thesiger.md) · [Arabian Sands](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilfred-thesiger/arabian-sands.md) · p. 255 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilfred-thesiger/arabian-sands/i-had-learnt.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > It (Gossip) comes so naturally to us that it seems as if our language evolved for the very purpose. [Yuval Noah Harari](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yuval-noah-harari.md) · [Sapiens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yuval-noah-harari/sapiens.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yuval-noah-harari/sapiens/it-gossip-comes.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > ...if all men knew what each said of the other, there would not be four friends in the world. [Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/if-all-men.md) Topics: [friendship](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/friendship.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > The hours of the morning between breakfast and lunch were the time which the inhabitants of Riseholme chiefly devoted to spying on each other [E F Benson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/e-f-benson.md) · [Queen Lucia](https://www.leafyquotes.com/e-f-benson/queen-lucia.md) · p. 43 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/e-f-benson/queen-lucia/the-hours-of-the.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > She didn’t know which she liked less, having people tell lies about her or having people know the truth. [Tad Williams](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tad-williams.md) · [To Green Angel Tower](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tad-williams/to-green-angel-tower.md) · p. 71 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tad-williams/to-green-angel-tower/she-didnt-know.md) Topics: [truth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > You’ll find truth in your looking glass, not on the tongues of men. [George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Feast for Crows](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-feast-for-crows.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-feast-for-crows/youll-find-truth.md) Topics: [truth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth.md), [self-knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/self-knowledge.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > In the Red Keep a man did his best to hold his tongue. There were rats in the walls, and little birds who talked too much, and spiders. [George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Storm of Swords](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-storm-of-swords.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-storm-of-swords/in-the-red.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Whether they believe the story or not, they delight to tell it. [George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Clash of Kings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/whether-they-believe.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > The smallfolk are always eager to believe the worst of their lords. [George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Clash of Kings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-smallfolk-are.md) Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Rumor, I fear, is scarcely as accurate as he is rapid. [Avram Davidson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/avram-davidson.md) · [The Phoenix and the Mirror](https://www.leafyquotes.com/avram-davidson/the-phoenix-and-the-mirror.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/avram-davidson/the-phoenix-and-the-mirror/rumor-i-fear.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Gossip and reputation make sure that what comes around - a person who is cruel will find that the others are cruel back to him, and a person who is kind will find others are kind in return. Gossip paired with reciprocity allow karma to work here on earth, not in the next life. As long as everyone plays tit-for-tat augmented by gratitude, vengeance, and gossip, the whole system should work beautifully. [Jonathan Haidt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jonathan-haidt.md) · [The Happiness Hypothesis](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jonathan-haidt/the-happiness-hypothesis.md) · p. 55 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jonathan-haidt/the-happiness-hypothesis/gossip-and-reputation.md) Topics: [gratitude](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gratitude.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > The function of gossip is to create an “in group” bond by creating an “out group” enemy. [Warren Farrell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell.md) · [Women Can't Hear What Men Don't Say](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say/the-function-of-gossip.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Hairdressers are professional gossips; when only the hands are busy, the tongue is seldom still. [Stefan Zweig](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig.md) · [The Post-Office Girl](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig/the-post-office-girl.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig/the-post-office-girl/hairdressers-are-professional.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > The subject of a rumor is always the last to hear it. [Stefan Zweig](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig.md) · [The Post-Office Girl](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig/the-post-office-girl.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig/the-post-office-girl/the-subject-of-a-rumor.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Her eyes flipped down through the usual scandal, gossip, and politics, noting that there didn’t seem to be much difference between them anymore. [Gregory Benford](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford.md) · [Cosm](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/cosm.md) · p. 202 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/cosm/her-eyes-flipped.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Rumor is rarely more interesting than fact, but it is always more readily available. [Stephen L. Carter](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-l-carter.md) · [The Emperor of Ocean Park](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-l-carter/the-emperor-of-ocean-park.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-l-carter/the-emperor-of-ocean-park/rumor-is-rarely.md) Topics: [truth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Whatever my husband's faults may be, it can only aggravate the evil for me to hear them from a stranger's lips. [Anne Brontë](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte.md) · [The Tenant of Wildfell Hall](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall/whatever-my-husbands.md) Topics: [marriage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/marriage.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md) > If we can only speak to slander our betters, let us hold our tongues. [Anne Brontë](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte.md) · [The Tenant of Wildfell Hall](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall/if-we-can.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > The difference between news and gossip-News tells you what people did, gossip tells you how much they enjoyed it. [Gregory David Roberts](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts.md) · [Shantaram](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts/shantaram.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts/shantaram/the-difference-between.md) Topics: [media](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/media.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > The Sage of Toronto ... spent several decades marveling at the numerous freedoms created by a “global village” instantly and effortlessly accessible to all. Villages, unlike towns, have always been ruled by conformism, isolation, petty surveillance, boredom and repetitive malicious gossip about the same families. Which is a precise enough description of the global spectacle’s present vulgarity. [Guy Debord](https://www.leafyquotes.com/guy-debord.md) · [Comments on the Society of the Spectacle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/guy-debord/comments-on-the-society-of-the-spectacle.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/guy-debord/comments-on-the-society-of-the-spectacle/the-sage-of-toronto.md) Topics: [conformity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conformity.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > What happened down in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so, naturally, the whole school knows. I believe your friends Misters Fred and George Weasley were responsible for trying to send you a lavatory seat. [J.K. Rowling](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jk-rowling.md) · [Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jk-rowling/harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jk-rowling/harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone/what-happened-down.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Human nature is, by definition, a talkative one, imprudent, indiscreet, gossipy, incapable of closing its mouth and keeping it closed. [José Saramago](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-saramago.md) · [The Cave](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-saramago/the-cave.md) · p. 117 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-saramago/the-cave/human-nature-is-by-definition.md) Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Hardly anything is more pleasant than talking about why other people are a pack of damn fools. [Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [Settling Accounts: Return Engagement](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-return-engagement.md) · p. 442 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-return-engagement/hardly-anything-is-more.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [stupidity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/stupidity.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > So little pains do the vulgar take in the investigation of truth, accepting readily the first story that comes to hand. [Thucydides](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thucydides.md) · [History of the Peloponnesian War](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thucydides/history-of-the-peloponnesian-war.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thucydides/history-of-the-peloponnesian-war/so-little-pains.md) Topics: [truth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > “Why do reporters have to dig into people’s privacy?” she fumed. > > “Communication is much like sex.” > > This set her back. “I don’t understand...” > > A chuckle. “Being celibate is often wise and prudent. People know this, but the inborn drive to reproduce makes their organs wag. Keeping silent is often wise and prudent. People know this, also, but the drive to question and tell makes their tongues wag. Sex spreads genetic material, good and bad; prying spreads information, true and false; natural selection takes over and both ethical failings contribute to continuing evolution.” [Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [The Fresco](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/the-fresco.md) · p. 145 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/the-fresco/why-do-reporters.md) Topics: [media](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/media.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md), [privacy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/privacy.md) > Nothing like other folks' sin for distraction. [Toni Morrison](https://www.leafyquotes.com/toni-morrison.md) · [Paradise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/toni-morrison/paradise.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/toni-morrison/paradise/nothing-like-other.md) Topics: [sin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sin.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > But they that are perfect, do not give ready heed to every news-bearer, for they know man’s weakness that it is prone to evil and unstable in words. [Thomas Kempis](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-kempis.md) · [The Imitation of Christ](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-kempis/the-imitation-of-christ.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-kempis/the-imitation-of-christ/but-they-that.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > The atmosphere of desperate, ignorant terror essential to healthy rumors seeps away, replaced by a silent, wary paranoia. People bunker down, jealously keeping what they know, which is nothing, to themselves. [Max Barry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-barry.md) · [Company](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-barry/company.md) · p. 174 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-barry/company/the-atmosphere-of-desperate.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > He heard them whispering—whispering... The independence seeped out of him and he walked the streets alone, afraid of men's cynical eyes and the incessant hiss of whispering. ~ Ch. 32 [Sinclair Lewis](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis.md) · [Babbitt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis/babbitt.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis/babbitt/he-heard-them.md) Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > But of course she knew it. Chambers was a hotbed of gossip. People spoke in front of her. Gossip permeated the very air as if by a mysterious process of osmosis. [P.D. James](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pd-james.md) · [A Certain Justice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pd-james/a-certain-justice.md) · p. 215 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pd-james/a-certain-justice/but-of-course.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > To be pleasant, gentle, calm and self-possessed: this is the basis of good taste and charm in a woman. No matter how amorous or passionate you may be, as long as you are straightforward and refrain from causing others embarrassment, no one will mind. But women who are too vain and act pretentiously, to the extent that they make others feel uncomfortable, will themselves become the object of attention; and once that happens, people will find fault with whatever they say or do: whether it be how they enter a room, how they sit down, how they stand up or how they take their leave. Those who end up contradicting themselves and those who disparage their companions are also carefully watched and listened to all the more. As long as you are free from such faults, people will surely refrain from listening to tittle-tattle and will want to show you sympathy, if only for the sake of politeness. I am of the opinion that when you intentionally cause hurt to another, or indeed if you do ill through mere thoughtless behavior, you fully deserve to be censured in public. Some people are so good-natured that they can still care for those who despise them, but I myself find it very difficult. Did the Buddha himself in all his compassion ever preach that one should simply ignore those who slander the Three Treasures? How in this sullied world of ours can those who are hard done by be expected to reciprocate in kind? [Murasaki Shikibu](https://www.leafyquotes.com/murasaki-shikibu.md) · [The Diary of Lady Murasaki](https://www.leafyquotes.com/murasaki-shikibu/the-diary-of-lady-murasaki.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/murasaki-shikibu/the-diary-of-lady-murasaki/to-be-pleasant.md) Topics: [women](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/women.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Radio provides a speed-up of information that also causes acceleration in other media. It certainly contracts the world to village size and creates insatiable village tastes for gossip, rumour, and personal malice. (p. 24) [Marshall McLuhan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marshall-mcluhan.md) · [Understanding Media](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marshall-mcluhan/understanding-media.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marshall-mcluhan/understanding-media/radio-provides-a-speed-up.md) Topics: [media](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/media.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > It is not facts, but rumors that cause emotions among the people. What is believed creates everything. [Joseph Joubert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert.md) · [The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert/the-notebooks-of-joseph-joubert.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert/the-notebooks-of-joseph-joubert/it-is-not.md) Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > What kind of story am I going to give them next? Because that's what we are to other people, boy, we are their gossip. That's all civilization is, a giant mill grinding out gossip. And so I could be the story of the man who rode high and fell hard, and had his spirit broken and crawled off into a hole like a dog, to die as soon as he could manage it. Or I could be the story of a man who rode high and fell hard, and then got up defiant, and walked away in a new direction. [Kim Stanley Robinson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson.md) · [The Years of Rice and Salt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson/the-years-of-rice-and-salt.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson/the-years-of-rice-and-salt/what-kind-of-story.md) Topics: [fate](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fate.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Whoever lives in the finest house in a small Canadian town dwells in a House of Atreus, about which a part of the community harbours the darkest mythical suspicions...In lesser houses there may be fighting, covert abortions, children "touched up" with a hot flat-iron to make them obedient, every imaginable aspect of parsimony, incest, and simple, persistent cruelty, but these are nothing to whatever seems amiss at the Big House. [Robertson Davies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies.md) · [The Cornish Trilogy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-cornish-trilogy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-cornish-trilogy/whoever-lives-in-the.md) Topics: [wealth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wealth.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Don't mind anything anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself. [Henry James](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henry-james.md) · [The Portrait of a Lady](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henry-james/the-portrait-of-a-lady.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henry-james/the-portrait-of-a-lady/dont-mind-anything.md) Topics: [independence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/independence.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Never mind that the story had turned out to be lies and foolishness—there was always folks stupid enough to say, “Where there’s smoke there’s fire,” when the saying should have been, “Where there’s scandalous lies there’s always malicious believers and spreaders-around, regardless of evidence. [Orson Scott Card](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card.md) · [Alvin Journeyman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/alvin-journeyman.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/alvin-journeyman/never-mind-that.md) Topics: [lies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/lies.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > On starlight nights I used to pace up and down those long, cold streets, scowling at the little, sleeping houses on either side, with their storm-windows and covered back porches. They were flimsy shelters, most of them poorly built of light wood, with spindle porch-posts horribly mutilated by the turning-lathe. Yet for all their frailness, how much jealousy and envy and unhappiness some of them managed to contain! The life that went on in them seemed to me made up of evasions and negations; shifts to save cooking, to save washing and cleaning, devices to propitiate the tongue of gossip. This guarded mode of existence was like living under a tyranny. People's speech, their voices, their very glances, became furtive and repressed. Every individual taste, every natural appetite, was bridled by caution. The people asleep in those houses, I thought, tried to live like the mice in their own kitchens; to make no noise, to leave no trace, to slip over the surface of things in the dark. [Willa Cather](https://www.leafyquotes.com/willa-cather.md) · [My Antonia](https://www.leafyquotes.com/willa-cather/my-antonia.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/willa-cather/my-antonia/on-starlight-nights.md) Topics: [conformity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conformity.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md), [everyday life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/everyday-life.md) > ...because academics everywhere are forever attacking one another, and I had long since learned that one must never believe what a teacher says of another. [Gore Vidal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gore-vidal.md) · [Julian](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gore-vidal/julian.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gore-vidal/julian/because-academics-everywhere.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md), [teachers](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/teachers.md) > Remind me to write a popular article on the compulsive reading of news. The theme will be that most neuroses and some psychoses can be traced to the unnecessary and unhealthy habit of daily wallowing in the troubles and sins of five billion strangers. The title is 'Gossip Unlimited' — no, make that 'Gossip Gone Wild.' [Robert A. Heinlein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein.md) · [Stranger in a Strange Land](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/stranger-in-a-strange-land.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/stranger-in-a-strange-land/remind-me-to-write.md) Topics: [media](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/media.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > "Well, Ah see Mouth-Almighty is still sittin' in de same place. And Ah reckon they got me up in they mouth now.""Yes indeed. You know if you pass some people and don't speak tuh suit 'em dey got tuh go way back in yo' life and see whut you ever done. They know mo' 'bout yuh than you do yo' self. They done 'heard' 'bout you just what they hope done happened.""If God don't think no mo' 'bout 'em than Ah do, they's a lost ball in de high grass." [Zora Neale Hurston](https://www.leafyquotes.com/zora-neale-hurston.md) · [Their Eyes Were Watching God](https://www.leafyquotes.com/zora-neale-hurston/their-eyes-were-watching-god.md) · p. 16 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/zora-neale-hurston/their-eyes-were-watching-god/well-ah-see.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > Local gossip travels faster than light. [Neil Gaiman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman.md) · [Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman/trigger-warning-short-fictions-and-disturbances.md) · p. 308 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman/trigger-warning-short-fictions-and-disturbances/local-gossip-travels.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > 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. [George Eliot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot.md) · [Daniel Deronda](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/daniel-deronda.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/daniel-deronda/gossip-is-a-sort.md) Topics: [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md) > I did not then know the besetting sin of woman, the passion to discuss her private affairs with anyone who is willing to listen. [William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [The Moon And Sixpence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-moon-and-sixpence.md) · p. 31 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-moon-and-sixpence/i-did-not.md) Topics: [women](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/women.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md)