Dealing with Rumors and Gossip

[Qman]

For those history majors out there………

Keep this philosophy in mind the next time you hear or you are about to repeat a rumor.

In ancient Greece(469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me, I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."

"Test of Three?"

"That's correct," Socrates continued.

"Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to test what you're going to say. The first

test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man replied, "actually I just heard about it."

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

"No, on the contrary."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued, "You may still pass though because there is a third test - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student 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?"

The man was defeated and ashamed and said no more.

This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.

It also explains why Socrates never found out that Plato was banging his wife.

[tcat1]

Lock N Load!

[Colonel1004]

Now that is FUNNY!

[tkc]

GOOD ONE QMAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[umbertino]

For those history majors out there………

Keep this philosophy in mind the next time you hear or you are about to repeat a rumor.

In ancient Greece(469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me, I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."

"Test of Three?"

"That's correct," Socrates continued.

"Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to test what you're going to say. The first

test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man replied, "actually I just heard about it."

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

"No, on the contrary."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued, "You may still pass though because there is a third test - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student 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?"

The man was defeated and ashamed and said no more.

This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.

It also explains why Socrates never found out that Plato was banging his wife.

One of his famous quotes is..."there's only one thing I do know: NOTHING"

[youliveonce]

That was a most brilliant post.

[sillyseaserpent]

Excellent post.

Point well taken.

[MrRich]

Well I think that passes the usefulness test.

[BanG]

Theres allot to that message even in today's world. Great Post.

[smee2]

Another goody from Socrates ...

One day while at the baths, involved in a discussion on intelect and intelligence, Socrates remarked that an intelligent person would not get wet in the rain. He would remain dry.

This remark became the talk of the city for a few days with people trying to figure out how a smart person would stay dry in the rain. Then one day it happened to rain.

Most of the people of the city ran out into the rain, hoping to prove to everyone just how intelligent they were. They all stood there and got soaked.

Of course Socrates meant that a smart person would not go and stand in the rain and therefore would not get wet.

And from that event comes our modern day phrase ... "He is too stupid to come in out of the rain."

Thanks for the original post, really enjoyed it

smee2

[Dee1]

Socrates acquaintance was a fool if he thought that a student committing adultery with his wife was not useful information for Socrates.

Thanks for the posting.

[ThoughtEcho]

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.”

-- Plato

[youliveonce]

Laugh at it.It is quite funny.Llike watching a newszaster who accidentally drops the F Bomb on the 6 O'CLOCK news.

[legacyman73]

Thanks for the post..