Stored in someone's mind, they can cause a lifetime of fear and anguish. I live in a small Caribbean island community, and as common in all communities in the world, there is a lot of gossip. Well our little community exchanges a lot of information. I have described it to so many as one very long string with a lot of tin cans. The words of gossip are rampant here as they are all over the world, with many harmful and toxic words being spoken about others.
People gather around and literally become, judge, jury and executioner of some unsuspecting soul.
On Thanksgiving Day I read for probably the fourth time one of my favorite books called, The Four Agreements. One of author, don Miguel Ruiz, four agreements is as follows. With Your Word Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others.