Thread: Socrates the philosopher

Keep this philosophy in mind the next time you hear or about to repeat a rumour -
In ancient Greece, Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.
One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students...?"
"Wait a moment," Socrated 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 one of my students, 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 only heard about it."
"Alright," said Socrates, "So you don't really know if it's true or not?"
"Now lets 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," Soctates continued, "You want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not sure it's true?"
The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.
Socrates continued, "You may still pass through because of the 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," continued 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 was held in such high esteem. It also explains why Socrates never found out that Plato was bonking his wife.