Hear no evil and talk no evil

From: mussie hailu

 

In ancient Greece (469-399 BC) Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance that 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 to pass a little test. It's called the test of three." "Three?" that's right" 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 said, "Actually I just heard about it." "All right" Said Socrates". "So you do not really know whether 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 good?

 

"No, on the contrary …" so," Socrates continued," you want to tell me something bad about him even thou your are not certain it is true?" the  man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued, "You may still pass because there is a third test –the filter of usefulness. Is what you what to tell me about my student useful to me?"

 

"No, not really …" "well," concluded Socrates, "if what you what to tell me is neither true nor good not even useful, why tell it to me at all?" The man was defeated and ashamed. Hear no evil, talk no evil, and see no evil. The more we listen to useless or negative talks the more we become negative.