"A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter." (Prov. 11:13) "A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends." (Prov. 16:28) "For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults..." (2 Cor. 12:20)

It topples governments, wrecks marriages, ruins careers, destroys reputations, causes nightmares, spawns suspicion, and generates grief. Even its name hisses. It's called "gossip." Before you repeat a story, ask yourself: Is it true? Is it fair? Is it necessary? Is it kind? If not, forget it. (Quoted in the First Christian, Fairfield, IL)