Common fame is a common liar. Hearsay is half lies. A tale never loses in the telling. As a snowball grows by rolling, so does a story. They who talk much lie much.
Silence is wisdom.
By this rule, wise men and wise women are scarce. An open mouth shows an empty head. If the chest had gold or silver in it, it would not always stand open. If we must talk, at least let us be free from slander, but let us not blister our tongues with backbiting. Slander may be sport to talebearers, but it is death to those whom they abuse.