Gossips can’t keep secrets.
—Proverbs 11:13
Renowned preacher Henry Ward Beecher received an anonymous letter with just one word: “Fool!” Reading it to his congregation, he said, “I’ve received quite a few letters from people who forgot to sign their name, but this is the first one I’ve ever received from someone who signed their name but forgot to write the letter.”
Desire for anonymity is a warning alarm. Don’t say anything about a person unless you would be willing for it to be repeated with your name as the originator. If you don’t want it known who said it, don’t say it.
Before gushing grapevine gossip, ask these questions:
- Is what I am about to say going to help me?
- Is it going to help the person I’m telling it to?
- Is it going to help the person I’m telling it about?
You can never unsay something you’ve said.