Gossip isn’t scandal and it’s not merely malicious. It’s chatter about the human race by lovers of the same.

The older one grows, the more one likes indecency.

A private sin is not so prejudicial in this world as a public indecency.

The purest joy is to live without disguise, unconstrained by the ties of a grave reputation.

Show me someone who never gossips, and I’ll show you someone who isn’t interested in people.

The more sifted, the finer the flour; the more often repeated, the rougher the gossip.

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.

Humiliation is the beginning of sanctification.

Keep no company with those whose position is high but whose morals are low.

The slander of some people is as great a recommendation as the praise of others.

Reputation, like beavers and cloaks, shall last some people twice the time of others.

Never make a defense or apology before you be accused.

Journalists belong in the gutter, because that is where the ruling classes throw their guilty secrets.