The Snake That Poisons Everybody

Dear Diary,

THE SNAKE THAT POISONS EVERYBODY

It topples governments, wrecks marriages, ruins careers, busts reputations,

causes heartaches, nightmares, indigestion,

spawns suspicion, generates grief,

dispatches innocent people to cry in their pillows.

Even its name hisses.

It's called GOSSIP.

Office gossip, shop gossip, party gossip.

It makes headlines and headaches.

Before you repeat a story, ask yourself:

Is it true?

Is it fair?

If not, SHUT UP.

* A message as published in the Wall Street Journal by United Technologies Corporation