WIST Quotations

Shakespeare, William -- Richard III, Act 1, sc. 1, l. 32ff (1.1.32) (1592)

Dave — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:52:48 +0000

RICHARD: Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous,
By drunken prophecies, libels, and dreams ….

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Richard III, Act 1, sc. 1, l. 32ff (1.1.32) (1592)
(Source)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 2, # 2057 (1727)

Dave — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 19:15:05 +0000

Drive away and never endure Tale-bearers: Whoever entertains thee with the Faults of others, designs to serve thee in the same Kind.

Thomas Fuller (1654-1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 2, # 2057 (1727)
(Source)

Addison, Joseph -- Essay (1711-06-26), The Spectator, No. 101

Dave — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 17:24:31 +0000

“Censure,” says a late ingenious author, “is the tax a man pays for being eminent.” It is a folly for an eminent man to think of escaping it, and a weakness to be affected with it. All the illustrious persons of antiquity, and indeed of every age in the world, have passed through this fiery persecution. There is no defense against reproach but obscurity; it is a kind of concomitant to greatness, as satires and invectives were an essential part of a Roman triumph.

Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
Essay (1711-06-26), The Spectator, No. 101
(Source)

The quotation is from Jonathan Swift.

Swift, Jonathan -- Essay (1706-10), “Thoughts on Various Subjects”

Dave — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 17:19:55 +0000

Censure is the tax a man pays to the public for being eminent.

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) English writer and churchman
Essay (1706-10), “Thoughts on Various Subjects”
(Source)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 34 (1725)

Dave — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 16:11:42 +0000

Scorn Affronts: let Dogs Bark, and Asses Kick.

Thomas Fuller (1654-1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 34 (1725)
(Source)

Flaubert, Gustave -- Letter to Louise Colet (14 Jun 1853) [tr. Hannigan (1896)]

Dave — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 17:45:25 +0000

You are astonished to find yourself the butt of so much calumny, opposition, indifference and ill-will. You will be more so and have more of it; it is the reward of the good and the beautiful: one may calculate the value of a man from the number of his critics and the importance of a work by the evil said of it.

Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) French writer, novelist
Letter to Louise Colet (14 Jun 1853) [tr. Hannigan (1896)]
(Source)

Alternate translation: "You can calculate the worth of a man by the number of his enemies, and the importance of a work of art by the harm that is spoken of it." [Source]

Obama, Barack -- Speech, United Nations (25 Sep 2012)

Dave — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 16:56:01 +0000

As President of our country and Commander-in-Chief of our military, I accept that people are going to call me awful things every day, and I will always defend their right to do so.

Barack Obama (b. 1961) American politician, US President (2009-2017)
Speech, United Nations (25 Sep 2012)
(Source)

Moliere -- Tartuffe, or the Hypocrite [Le Tartuffe, ou L’Imposteur], Act 1, sc. 1 (1669) [tr. Frame (1967)]

Dave — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 18:53:46 +0000

CLEANTHES: To gossip seems to be a human need;
Our best protection is to pay no heed.
Let’s live in innocence as best we may,
And let the gossipmongers have their say.

[Contre la médisance il n’est point de rempart.
À tous les sots caquets n’ayons donc nul égard;
Efforçons-nous de vivre avec toute innocence,
Et laissons aux causeurs une pleine licence.]

Molière (1622-1673) French playwright, actor [stage name for Jean-Baptiste Poquelin]
Tartuffe, or the Hypocrite [Le Tartuffe, ou L’Imposteur], Act 1, sc. 1 (1669) [tr. Frame (1967)]
(Source)

(Source (French)). Alternate translations:

There's no guarding against Calumny: Let us therefore not mind silly tittle-tattle, and let's endeavour to live innocently our selves, and leave the gossiping part of Mankind to say what they please.
[tr. Clitandre (1672)]

There is no protection against slander. Let us, therefore, pay no regard to all this silly tittle-tattle; let us endeavour to live honestly, and leave the gossips to say what they please.
[tr. Van Laun (1876)]

There is no safeguard against calumny. Let us, therefore, not mind all that foolish gossip, but only endeavour to lead a virtuous life, and leave full licence to the scandal-mongers.
[tr. Wall (1879)]

There is no defence against calumny. So let us not mind foolish tittle-tattle, and let us endeavour to live innocently, and leave the gossips to say what they please.
[tr. Mathew (1890)]

There is not any protection against slander. Do not let us pay any attention to foolish gossip, but endeavour to live honestly and leave the scandal-mongers to say what they will.
[tr. Waller (1903)]

Against backbiting there is no defence
So let us try to live in innocence,
To silly tattle pay no heed at all,
And leave the gossips free to vent their gall.
[tr. Page (1909)]

There is no wall so high it shuts out slander.
So let's not give a thought to silly gossip,
And let us try to live in innocence,
And let the talkers talk just as they please.
[tr. Bishop (1957)]

One can't fight slander; it's a losing battle;
Let us instead ignore their tittle-tattle.
Let's strive to live by conscience' clear decrees,
And let the gossips gossip as they please.
[tr. Wilbur (1963)]

There is nothing that can hold back gossip.
Let's give no attention to fools who chatter mean things;
Let's try to live in all innocence,
And leave it to other people to say what they will.
[tr. Siniscalchi (c. 1994)]

Tongues would still wag, it's what tongues do,
Scandal will find a passage through
No matter how secure a wall
We built against it -- hang them all!
Their talk won't bother us a bit
As long as there's no grounds for it.
Provided we've done nothing wrong
They're free to babble all day long.
[tr. Bolt (2002)]

There's no defense against slander.
Let's pay no attention to their cackling;
we'll try to live virtuously and
let busybodies have their way.
[tr. Steiner (2008)]

There is no defence against malicious gossip.
Let's just concentrate on living a good and decent life
And let people talk all they please.
[tr. Campbell (2013)]

There is no rampart that will hold out against malice.
[Bartlett's]

Epictetus -- Enchiridion, 33 (c. AD 135) [tr. Long (1888)]

Dave — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 02:52:19 +0000

If a man has reported to you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make any defense to what has been told you: but reply, The man did not know the rest of my faults, for he would not have mentioned these only.

Epictetus (c. 55-c. 135 AD) Greek (Phrygian) Stoic philosopher [Ἐπίκτητος, Epíktētos]
Enchiridion, 33 (c. AD 135) [tr. Long (1888)]
(Source)

Alt. trans.: "If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you, but answer, 'He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would have not mentioned these alone.'" [tr. Higginson (1948)]

Shakespeare, William -- Much Ado About Nothing, Act 2, sc. 1, l. 244 (2.1.244) (1598)

Dave — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 19:52:00 +0000

BENEDICK: She speaks poniards and every word stabs.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Much Ado About Nothing, Act 2, sc. 1, l. 244 (2.1.244) (1598)
(Source)

See Howell (1659).

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 1395 (1732)

Dave — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 00:49:23 +0000

Even doubtful Accusations leave a Stain behind them.

Thomas Fuller (1654-1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 1395 (1732)
(Source)

Herbert, George -- Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 838 (1640 ed.)

Dave — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 18:51:42 +0000

The tongue is not steele, yet it cuts.

George Herbert (1593-1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 838 (1640 ed.)
(Source)

See Howell (1659).

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1744 ed.)

Dave — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 21:13:39 +0000

A soft Tongue may strike hard.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1744 ed.)
(Source)

See Howell (1659).

Washington, George -- Letter to William Livingston (7 Dec 1779)

Dave — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 16:23:03 +0000

To persevere in one’s duty and be silent is the best answer to calumny.

George Washington (1732–1799) American military leader, Founding Father, US President (1789–1797)
Letter to William Livingston (7 Dec 1779)

Tacitus -- The Annals (AD 109)

Dave — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:36:26 +0000

Neglected, calumny soon expires; show that you are hurt, and you give it the appearance of truth.

Tacitus (c.56-c.120) Roman historian, orator, politician [Publius or Gaius Cornelius Tacitus]
The Annals (AD 109)

Quintilian, Marcus Fabius -- De Institutione Oratorio, Book 12, ch. 9, l. 9

Dave — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 14:47:03 +0000

An evil-speaker differs from an evil-doer only in the want of opportunity.

[Maledicus a malefico non distat nisi occasione.]

Quintilian (39-90) Roman orator [Marcus Fabius Quintilianus]
De Institutione Oratorio, Book 12, ch. 9, l. 9

Porter, Jane -- Aphorisms of Sir Philip Sidney, Vol. 2, “Falsehood, Treachery, and Slander,” #19, Remark (1807)

Dave — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 13:14:32 +0000

I never yet heard man or woman much abused, that I was not inclined to think the better of them; and to transfer any suspicion or dislike to the person who appeared to take delight in pointing out the defects of a fellow-creature.

Jane Porter (1776-1850) English historical novelist and dramatist
Aphorisms of Sir Philip Sidney, Vol. 2, “Falsehood, Treachery, and Slander,” #19, Remark (1807)
(Source)

Publilius Syrus -- Sententiae [Moral Sayings], #1058 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Dave — Tue, 31 May 2016 14:05:01 +0000

When we speak evil of others, we generally condemn ourselves.

Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], #1058 [tr. Lyman (1862)]

Plautus -- Pseudolus, 1.5

Dave — Tue, 24 May 2016 13:50:07 +0000

The men who convey, and those who listen to calumnies, should, if I could have my way, all hang, the tale-bearers by their tongues, the listeners by their ears.

Plautus (c. 254-184 BC) Roman playright [Titus Maccius Plautus]
Pseudolus, 1.5

Milton, John -- An Apology for Smectymnuus (1642)

Dave — Mon, 16 May 2016 15:26:32 +0000

I will not deny but that the best apology against false accusers is silence and sufferance, and honest deeds set against dishonest words.

John Milton (1608-1674) English poet
An Apology for Smectymnuus (1642)
(Source)

Menander -- Fragment

Dave — Mon, 09 May 2016 15:11:00 +0000

He that lends an easy and credulous ear to calumny is either a man of very ill morals or has no more sense and understanding than a child.

Menander (c. 341 - c. 290 BC) Greek comedic dramatist
Fragment

Quoted in James Elmes, Classic Quotations: A Thought-Book (1863).

Hubbard, Elbert -- The Roycroft Dictionary and Book of Epigrams (1923)

Dave — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 13:08:37 +0000

Every life is its own excuse for being, and to deny or refute the untrue things that are said of you is an error in judgment. All wrong recoils upon the doer, and the man who makes wrong statements about others is himself to be pitied, not the man he vilifies. It is better to be lied about than to lie. At the last no one can harm us but ourselves.

Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) American writer, businessman, philosopher
The Roycroft Dictionary and Book of Epigrams (1923)
(Source)

Herodotus -- Histories, 7.10

Dave — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 14:37:24 +0000

Calumny is a monstrous vice: for, where parties indulge in it, there are always two that are actively engaged in doing wrong, and one who is subject to injury. The calumniator inflicts wrong by slandering the absent; he who gives credit to the calumny, before he has investigated the truth, is equally implicated. The person traduced is doubly injured — first by him who propagates, and secondly by him who credits the calumny.

Herodotus (c.484-c.420 BC) Greek historian
Histories, 7.10
(Source)

Goldsmith, Oliver -- The Traveler; Or, A Prospect of Society (1764)

Dave — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 13:16:20 +0000

Like the tiger, that seldom desists from pursuing man after having once preyed upon human flesh, the reader, who has once gratified his appetite with calumny, makes ever after, the most agreeable feast upon murdered reputation.

Oliver Goldsmith (1730-1774) Irish poet, playwright, novelist
The Traveler; Or, A Prospect of Society (1764)

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard’s Almanack (1757)

Dave — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 13:29:00 +0000

Act uprightly, and despise Calumny; Dirt may stick to a Mud Wall, but not to polish’d Marble.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard’s Almanack (1757)

Disraeli, Benjamin -- (Attributed)

Dave — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 13:58:07 +0000

Never complain and never explain.

Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) English politician and author
(Attributed)
(Source)

Most often cited to John Morley, Life of William Ewart Gladstone, Vol. 1, Book 2, ch. 2, sec. 1 (1903). This was Disraeli's distillation of advice that Lord High Chancellor John Copley, Lord Lyndhurst, gave at a January 1835 dinner attended both a young Gladstone and Disraeli:

Never defend yourself before a popular assemblage, except with and by retorting the attack; the hearers, in the pleasure which the assault gives them, will forget the previous charge.

The phrase is also attributed to Benjamin Jowett, Henry Ford II, and Charles Stewart Parnell.

Diogenes -- Quoted in Epictetus The Discourses, Book 1, ch. 24.

Dave — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 13:25:03 +0000

Calumny is only the noise of madmen.

Diogenes of Sinope (412 or 404-323BC) Greek Cynic philosopher
Quoted in Epictetus The Discourses, Book 1, ch. 24.

Spinoza, Baruch -- (Attributed)

Dave — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 15:38:08 +0000

What Paul says about Peter tells us more about Paul than it does about Peter.

Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677) Dutch philosopher
(Attributed)
(Source)

Quoted by Erich Fromm, Psychoanalysis and Religion, 3 (1950).

Baruch, Bernard -- (Attributed)

Dave — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 17:16:22 +0000

No man can humiliate me or disturb me. I won’t let him.

Bernard Baruch (1870-1965) American businessman and statesman
(Attributed)

Quoted in Dale Carnegie, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living (1948). When asked by Carnegie if he was troubled by his enemies' attacks.

Chamfort, Nicolas -- Products of Perfected Civilization [Produits de la Civilisation Perfectionée], Part 1 “Maxims and Thoughts [Maximes et Pensées],” ch. 5, ¶ 302 (1795) [tr. Dusinberre (1992)]

Dave — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 15:10:45 +0000

Calumny is like a wasp which harasses you. Raise no hand against it unless you’re sure of killing it, for otherwise it will return to the charge more furious than ever.

[La calomnie est comme la guêpe qui vous importune, et contre laquelle il ne faut faire aucun mouvement, à moins qu’on ne soit sûr de la tuer, sans quoi elle revient à la charge, plus furieuse que jamais.]

Nicolas Chamfort (1741-1794) French writer, epigrammist (b. Nicolas-Sébastien Roch)
Products of Perfected Civilization [Produits de la Civilisation Perfectionée], Part 1 “Maxims and Thoughts [Maximes et Pensées],” ch. 5, ¶ 302 (1795) [tr. Dusinberre (1992)]
(Source)

(Source (French)). Alternate translations:

Calumny is like the wasp which worries you, which it were best not to try to get rid of unless you are sure of slaying it; for otherwise it will return to the charge more furious than ever.
[Source (1872)]

Scandal is an importunate wasp, against which we must make no movement unless we are quite sure that we can kill it; otherwise it will return to the attack more furious than ever.
[tr. Mathers (1926)]

Calumny is like some annoying wasp, against which one must make no move unless one is sure of killing it, or else it will return to the charge more furiously than ever.
[tr. Merwin (1969)]

Calumny is a wasp that bothers you, and against which you mustn't make any movement unless you are sure to kill it; otherwise it will attack you more furiously than before.
[tr. Siniscalchi (1994)]

Slander is like a wasp which is pestering you but which you mustn't take any action against unless he happens to turn round.
[tr. Parmée (2003), ¶ 182]

Ambrose of Milan -- De Officiis Ministrorum [On the Duties of the Clergy], Book 1, ch. 5, sec. 17-18 (AD 386)

Dave — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 14:46:54 +0000

To avoid dissensions we should ever be on our guard, more especially with those who drive us to argue with them, with those who vex and irritate us, and who say things likely to excite us to anger. When we find ourselves in company with quarrelsome, eccentric individuals, people who openly and unblushingly say the most shocking things, difficult to put up with, we should take refuge in silence, and the wisest plan is not to reply to people whose behavior is so preposterous.
Those who insult us and treat us contumeliously are anxious for a spiteful and sarcastic reply: the silence we then affect disheartens them, and they cannot avoid showing their vexation; they do all they can to provoke us and to elicit a reply, but the best way to baffle them is to say nothing, refuse to argue with them, and to leave them to chew the cud of their hasty anger. This method of bringing down their pride disarms them, and shows them plainly that we slight and despise them.

[Sed etiam ille cavendus; est, qui videri potest, quicumque inritat, quicumque incitat, quicumque exasperat, quicumque incentiva luxuriae aut libidinis suggerit. Quando ergo aliquis nobis convitiatur, lacessit, ad violentiam provocat, ad iurgium vocat: tunc silentium exerceamus, tunc muti fieri non erubescamus. Peccator est enim qui nos provocat, qui iniuriam facit et nos similes sui fieri desiderat.
Denique si taceas, si dissimules, solet dicere: Quid taces? Loquere, si audes; sed non audes, mutus es, elinguem te feci. Si ergo taceas, plus rumpitur; victum sese putat, inrisum, posthabitum atque inlusum.]

Ambrose of Milan (339-397) Roman theologian, statesman, Christian prelate, saint, Doctor of the Church [Aurelius Ambrosius]
De Officiis Ministrorum [On the Duties of the Clergy], Book 1, ch. 5, sec. 17-18 (AD 386)
(Source)

(Source (Latin)). Other translation:

But he also is to be shunned which is visible whosoever he be that provoketh, whosoever he be that inciteth, whosoever he be that exaspereth, whosoever he be that giveth the first breath, that suggesteth the first blast to kindle the coales to luxurie, and lustfulnesse. When some one therefore doth raile at us, doth vexe, provoke to violence, stirre up to wrath, then let us exercise silence; then let us not be ashamed to be dumbe.
For hee is a very sinfull wretch, that provoking, that offering injurie is desirous therein to make us like himselfe. To shut up the matter if thou holdest thy peace, if thou seemest not to regard whatsoever he speakes, he is wont to say, why art thou mute? speake if thou darest? but thou darest not, thou art put to a non-plus, I have made thee lose thy tongue; If therefore thou be silent he is more molested, and ready to breake with anger, because he thinkes himselfe overcome, skorned, deluded, and contemned.
[tr. Humfrey (1637)]

Tarkington, Booth -- Penrod, ch. 10 (1914)

Dave — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 20:49:23 +0000

Besides, there are two things that will be believed of any man whatsoever, and one of them is that he has taken to drink.

Booth Tarkington (1869-1946) American novelist and dramatist
Penrod, ch. 10 (1914)
(Source)

Milton, John -- Observations upon the Articles of Peace with the Irish Rebels (1649)

Dave — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 14:03:14 +0000

Just deeds are the best answer to injurious words.

John Milton (1608-1674) English poet
Observations upon the Articles of Peace with the Irish Rebels (1649)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 2107 (1732)

Dave — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 12:09:39 +0000

He that flings Dirt at another dirtieth himself most.

Thomas Fuller (1654-1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs (compiler), # 2107 (1732)
(Source)

Johnson, Samuel -- The Rambler, #76 (8 Dec 1750)

Dave — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 12:45:08 +0000

Every whisper of infamy is industriously circulated, every hint of suspicion eagerly improved, and every failure of conduct joyfully published by those whose interest it is that the eye and voice of the public should be employed on any rather than themselves.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Rambler, #76 (8 Dec 1750)
(Source)

Jonson, Ben -- Volpone, Act 2, sc. 2 (1606)

Dave — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:53:29 +0000

Sir, calumnies are answer’d best with silence.

Ben Jonson (1572-1637) English playwright and poet
Volpone, Act 2, sc. 2 (1606)
(Source)

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 128 (1955)

Dave — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:39:29 +0000

Our credulity is greatest concerning the things we know least about. And since we know least about ourselves, we are ready to believe all that is said about us. Hence the mysterious power of both flattery and calumny.

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 128 (1955)
(Source)

Bacon, Francis -- De Augmentis Scientiarum [Advancement of Learning] (1605)

Dave — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:55:39 +0000

Hurl your calumnies boldly; something is sure to stick.

[Audacter calumniare, semper aliquid haeret.]

Francis Bacon (1561-1626) English philosopher, scientist, author, statesman
De Augmentis Scientiarum [Advancement of Learning] (1605)

Shakespeare, William -- King Lear, Act 2, sc. 2, l. 11ff (2.2.11-24) (1606)

Dave — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:36:52 +0000

OSWALD: Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not.

KENT: Fellow, I know thee.

OSWALD: What dost thou know me for?

KENT: A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy, worsted-stocking knave; a lily-livered, action-taking whoreson, glass-gazing, superserviceable, finical rogue; one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldst be a bawd, in way of good service, and art nothing but the composition of a knave, beggar, coward, pander, and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch: one whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deniest the least syllable of thy addition.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
King Lear, Act 2, sc. 2, l. 11ff (2.2.11-24) (1606)
(Source)

Shakespeare, William -- Hamlet, Act 3, sc. 1, l. 147ff (3.1.147-148) (c. 1600)

Dave — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:44:27 +0000

HAMLET: Be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Hamlet, Act 3, sc. 1, l. 147ff (3.1.147-148) (c. 1600)
(Source)

Stevenson, Robert Louis -- Essay (1879-05), “The Truth of Intercourse,” Cornhill Magazine, Vol. 39

Dave — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:27:36 +0000

The cruelest lies are often told in silence. A man may have sat in a room for hours and not opened his teeth, and yet come out of that room a disloyal friend or a vile calumniator.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
Essay (1879-05), “The Truth of Intercourse,” Cornhill Magazine, Vol. 39
(Source)

Collected as "Virginibus Puerisque, Part 4" in Virginibus Puerisque and Other Papers, ch. 1 (1881).

Russell, Bertrand -- “The Aims of Education” (1929)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

The widespread interest in gossip is inspired, not by a love of knowledge, but by malice: no one gossips about other people’s secret virtues, but only about their secret vices. Accordingly most gossip is untrue, but care is taken not to verify it. Our neighbour’s sins, like the consolations of religion, are so agreeable that we do not stop to scrutinize the evidence closely.

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
“The Aims of Education” (1929)
(Source)

Usually shortened to "No one gossips about other people's secret virtues."