A slander iz like a hornet, if you kant kill it dead the fus blo, you better not strike at it.

[A slander is like a hornet, if you can’t kill it dead the first blow, you better not strike at it.]

Josh Billings (1818–1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]

Everybody’s Friend, Or; Josh Billing’s Encyclopedia and Proverbial Philosophy of Wit and Humor, ch. 128 “Affurisms: Lobstir Sallad” (1874)
    (Source)