Lapham’s Quarterly

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

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

Attacks on me will do no harm, and silent contempt is the best answer to them.

It is one thing to slander, another to accuse.

Scandal begins where the police leave off.

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

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

A bad reputation is easy to come by, painful to bear, and difficult to clear.

Don’t ever wear artistic jewelry; it wrecks a woman’s reputation.

The world is for thousands a freak show; the images flicker past and vanish.