He had to accept the fate of every newcomer to a small town where there are plenty of tongues that gossip and few minds that think.

Summary

This quote suggests that the speaker is referring to someone who has recently moved to a small town. The individual is realizing that in such a close-knit community, gossip is abundant and critical thinking is scarce. Therefore, the newcomer must come to terms with the fact that they will be subject to the scrutiny and judgment of others, as the majority of residents tend to engage in idle talk rather than thoughtfully analyzing situations. It highlights the challenge of navigating the social dynamics in a place where gossip dominates and intellectual discourse is limited.

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