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He gossips habitually; he lacks the common wisdom to keep…

“He gossips habitually; he lacks the common wisdom to keep still that deadly enemy of man, his own tongue.” quote by Mark Twain
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“He gossips habitually; he lacks the common wisdom to keep still that deadly enemy of man, his own tongue.”

Mark Twain

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Gossip harms both speaker and listener; silence protects.

In simple terms: Gossip damages, silence protects.

Key Takeaway

Choose silence over gossip.

Themes

communication gossip wisdom

Mood

wry didactic

Type

moral reflective

When to use this quote

  • workplace
  • family gatherings
  • online forums

Key Concepts

social ethics self‑control interpersonal dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is speaking up necessary?
  • How to balance honesty and discretion?
A Different Perspective

Silence can hide truth.

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