Nobody’s Friend

My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice, I aim without killing, I break hearts and ruin lives, I am cunning and malicious, and I 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, for the harder you try the more elusive I become. Thus, I am nobody’s friend. Once I have tarnished a reputation, it is never the same. I topple Governments and ruin marriages. I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, headaches 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, coffee shop Gossip, party Gossip, telephone Gossip, and yes, Church Gossip. I make headlines.

Before you repeat a story, ask yourself, is it true, is it fair, is it necessary?