Thursday's Thoughts: Is It True? Is It Harmless? Is It Necessary?

 

 

 

 "Even my name hisses...I am called Gossip..."

Eve and The Serpent
Image courtesy/Debbie Clark
Debbie Clark Art

"And the serpent said unto the woman, "Ye shall not surely die. For God doth 
 know that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, 
and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." 
(Genesis 3:4-5)

 

My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice.

I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. 

I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age.

The more I am quoted the more I am believed.

My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves

against me because I have no name or 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 make innocent people cry in their pillows.

Even my names hisses. I am called Gossip.

I make headlines and headaches.

Before you repeat a story, ask yourself,

Is it true? Is it harmless? Is it necessary?

If it isn't, don't repeat it.

 

" Nobody's Friend "
(Author Unknown) 
From the book, "Dear Abby's Keepers:
Special Letters, Poems, and Essays"
 By Abigail Van Buren
Copyright 1992
Phillips-Van Buren Inc.
Printed in the U.S.A.