talking behind someone's back

meeting

is not necessarily a bad thing. What one cannot say to a friend's face, one ought to say very carefully behind his back.

What you cannot say to a friend's face, say very carefully behind his back.

is sometimes necessary. One ought never trust a man who speaks well of everybody.

Never trust a man who speaks well of everybody.

is universal. If all men knew what each said of each other, there would not be four friends in the world.

If all men knew what each said of each other, there would not be four friends in the world.

is universal --- if we all said to people's faces what we say behind their backs, society would be impossible.

If we all said to people's faces what we say behind their backs, society would be impossible.

is indecent --- the only decent thing to do behind a person's back is pat it.

The only decent thing to do behind a person's back is pat it.

is natural --- If all men knew what each said about the other, there wouldn't be five friends in the whole world.

If all men knew what each said about the other, there wouldn't be five friends in the whole world.

is natural --- in fact, what people say behind your back is your real standing in the community.

What people say to your back is your standing in the community.

is natural --- We should thank God that He did not give us the power of hearing through walls; otherwise there would be no such thing as friendship.

We should thank God that He did not give us the power of hearing through walls; otherwise there would be no such thing as friendship.