Careers Quote by Wayne D. Dosick
“Gossip and slander are not victimless crimes. Words do not just dissipate into midair. . . . Words can injure and damage, maim and destroy - forcefully, painfully, lastingly. . . . Plans have been disrupted, deals have been lost, companies have fallen, because of idle gossip or malicious slander. Reputations have been sullied, careers have been ruined, lives have been devastated, because of cruel lies or vicious rumors. . . . Your words have such power to do good or evil that they must be chosen carefully, wisely, and well.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Leadership Ethics Talk, 2018
Words carry tangible impact; gossip and slander cause real harm to reputations, careers, and lives, so speech must be chosen responsibly.
In simple terms: Talk can hurt or help, so think before you speak.
Key Takeaway
Speak responsibly, avoid harmful rumors.
Themes
communication
ethics
responsibility
reputation
leadership
Mood
cautious
serious
Type
ethical
practical
When to use this quote
- workplace
- social media
- political discourse
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
social influence
psychology
organizational behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you verify information before sharing?
- What habits ensure you speak constructively?
A Different Perspective
Even careful words can be misinterpreted; context matters.
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![“The only regret I have in my career, is my managers wanted a big payday, and I wanted four or five more fights before going in with [Larry] Holmes. That would have made all the difference.” quote by Gerry Cooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d63/gerry-cooney-20863_bigs_the-only-regret-i-have-in-my-career-is-m_1534.jpg)
![“The young man [Turgot] destined for an ecclesiastical career was placed within walls carefully designed to keep out all currents of new thought; his studies, his reading, his professors, his associates, all were combined to keep from him any results of observation or reflection save those…” quote by Andrew Dickson White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5d4/andrew-dickson-white-24254_associates_the-young-man-turgot-destined-for-an-ecc_3146.jpg)
