Test It First!

Posted by Unknown On Tuesday, February 8, 2011 4 comments
This is an oldie which I posted previously in my other blog and am reposting it here because of its timeless lessons and reminders about gossiping. Take care and have a great day!



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In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"

"Hold on a minute," Socrates replied. "Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be good idea to take a moment and filter what you’re going to say. That’s why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"Well, no," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and…"

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now, let’s try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"

"Umm, no, on the contrary…"

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about my friend, but you’re not certain it’s true. You may still pass the test though, because there’s one filter left—the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither true, nor good, nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"

-Author Unknown-

This was sent to me in 2008 via email and I am sorry I have no record of its authorship or who had sent it to me.

4 comments to Test It First!

  1. says:

    Anonymous Good inspirational story. Abit like RPK Malaysia-today....i.e RPK = Socrates.
    Every Vote Counts.
    Its NOW or NEVER.
    CHANGE NOW

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear J

    Thanks so much for swinging by and for that timely reminder. You are doing a great job and I am so inspired by your undaunted and solo effort!!! Take care and Gong Xi Fa Cai!

    Cheers

  1. says:

    SFGEMS Nice one. I have to admit I've failed the filter test. Many, many, many times. :(

  1. says:

    Unknown Hi Lita

    Lovely to hear from you. Thanks for your honest response, dearie. We all learn from mistakes and grow wiser as we get older. Take care and thanks for reaching out. Have a blessed weekend and see you soon!

    Shalom

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