--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A slander is like a hornet; if you cannot…" description: "\"A slander is like a hornet; if you cannot kill it dead at the first blow, better not to strike at it.\" — Josh Billings" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/josh-billings-777_blow_a-slander-is-like-a-hornet-if-you-cannot_2335597.png" --- # A slander is like a hornet; if you cannot kill it dead at… ![“A slander is like a hornet; if you cannot kill it dead at the first blow, better not to strike at it.” quote by Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/josh-billings-777_blow_a-slander-is-like-a-hornet-if-you-cannot_2335597.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/josh-billings-777_blow_a-slander-is-like-a-hornet-if-you-cannot_2335597.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/josh-billings-777_blow_a-slander-is-like-a-hornet-if-you-cannot_2335597.png) > “A slander is like a hornet; if you cannot kill it dead at the first blow, better not to strike at it.” [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A slander, if not eliminated immediately, should be ignored rather than provoked further. **In simple terms:** Ignore persistent rumors instead of fighting them. Key Takeaway Let slander pass. Themes communication conflict ethics Mood cautious reflective Type advice proverbial When to use this quote - online discourse - workplace gossip - political debate - personal relationships Key Concepts slander hornet strategy patience Questions to Reflect On - When is confronting a slander effective? - How do you decide when to ignore? A Different Perspective Ignoring may allow damage to spread unchecked. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blow/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Hornet Kill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hornet-kill-5634704/) [Hornets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hornets/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Kill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kill/) [Like Hornet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-hornet-5634705/) [Slander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slander/) [Slander Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slander-like-5634703/) [Strikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strikes/) ## Related quotes > [Strike at a great man, and you will not miss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/strike-at-a-great-man-and-you-will-not-miss/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [A big business man was telling Henry Ford about a coach driver of super-expertness with his whip. 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