The Evil of Gossip

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 13, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 43.

The Evil of Gossip

CAN the evil wrought by gossip be estimated? We think not. A wise woman can scarcely say too little in company if the conversation trenches in the least on scandal. Many a social, noble-minded woman has been obliged to withdraw herself from a neighborhood intimacy which would have been pleasant otherwise, because her remarks are returned by some idle tale-bearer so perverted as to make her doubt the existence of genuine friendship, and accept loneliness for the sake of the safety it brought. You say we must talk "about something." Yes, and through that very fact we see a remedy for the evil, to so thoroughly interest ourselves in other and better things that we find no space to spare for our neighbor's affairs. Let us talk of our work, our homes, our houseplants, our books, or our babies. Let us teach our eyes to find beauty everywhere, while we blind them by constant watchfulness to blemishes. Never under any circumstances cast the first stone. Then if any erring neighbor goes down, you cannot blame yourself for assisting the downfall.