228．不要传播丑闻

不要传播丑闻，更不要被人当作长舌妇，因为那样等于犯了诽谤罪。不要总是诽谤他人，那样做很容易，但会遭人憎恨；而且所有人都会想要报复你，说你坏话，因为你孤单一人，而他们人多力量大，所以你的失败是必然的，他们不会相信你散布的谣言。不要对邪恶之事津津乐道，决不能把它当成谈话的主题。背后诋毁他人者令人厌恶，如果偶尔有伟人与之交往，前者也只是乐于听他的嘲讽，而不是尊重他的见解。说别人坏话的人，别人会把他说得更糟。

228．Do not be a scandal-monger

Do not be a scandal-monger. Still less pass for one, for that means to be considered a slanderer. Do not be witty at the cost of others: it is easy but hateful. All men have their revenge on such an one by speaking ill of him, and as they are many and he but one, he is more likely to be overcome than they convinced. Evil should never be our pleasure, and therefore never our theme. The backbiter is always hated, and if now and then one of the great consorts with him, it is less from pleasure in his sneers than from esteem for his insight. He that speaks ill will always hear worse.