My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning, malicious and gather strength with age.

The more I am quoted, the more I am believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.

To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody's friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same.

I topple governments and wreck marriages. I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches and indigestion. I spawn suspicion and generate grief. I make innocent people cry in their pillows.

Even my name hisses. I am called GOSSIP.
Office gossip -- Shop gossip -- Party gossip -- Telephone gossip.

I make headlines and headaches.
REMEMBER, before you repeat a story, ask yourself:
Is it true?
Is it fair?
Is it necessary??
If not, do not repeat it.

KEEP QUIET.

A brother asked Abba Sisoes, saying, "What shall i do father? For i have fallen." The old man said tohim, "Rise up; and the brother said to him, "I did rise up, but, i fell again." The old man said to him, "Rise again;" and the brother said to him, "I did rise up again, many times, and i fell again." The old man said to him, "Rise up again;" And the brother said to him, "Untill when?" The old man said to him, "Until thou has advancest either in good deeds or in falling; for in the road wherein a man advances where he goes, whether it be to death or to life."