Dirty Quote by Thomas De Witt Talmage
“Take not into your ear that scum of hell that people call tittle-tattle. Whosoever willingly listens to a slander is equally guilty with the one who tells it, and an old writer says they ought both to be hanged; the one by the tongue and the other by the ear. Do not smile upon such a spaniel, lest like a pleased dog, he puts his dirty paw upon you.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Devil’s Influence, 1885
Listening to gossip spreads sin; both speaker and listener share guilt, so avoid it.
In simple terms: Gossip harms both teller and listener.
Key Takeaway
Reject gossip and its influence.
Themes
morality
communication
guilt
social harm
Mood
cautionary
serious
Type
moral
didactic
When to use this quote
- Workplace conversations
- online forums
- family gatherings
- church meetings
Key Concepts
Ethical theory
social psychology
sin concept
Questions to Reflect On
- Why is it tempting to hear gossip?
- How can you steer conversations away from slander?
A Different Perspective
Avoiding gossip can be socially difficult.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
