Gossip and flattery

Sins of the tongue come so naturally to us. How concerned are we to avoid the twin evils of of gossip and flattery?

I have always found the following definitions of gossip and flattery helpful.

Gossip is saying behind someone's back what you would not say to their face.

Flattery is saying to someone's face what you would not say behind their back.

These two quotes may also help us to ponder the correct use of our speech.

Blaise Pascal the famous French Scientist said this,

'I lay it as a fact that if all men knew what others say of them, there would not be four friends in the world.'

A rhyme by William Norris,

'If your lips would keep from slips, five things observe with care: To whom you speak, of whom you speak