HELP BUILD UP A GOOD NAME

Before telling anyone something about someone , I think it is worth a try to apply the so-called Socrates' Triple Filter Test. This is a reflection for those who love spreading gossip. I firmly believe in the old adage that 'You are the master of the unspoken word, never let the spoken word become the master of you.' Nobody's got the right to destroy anyone's good character. Destroying one's good name is a lot easier than helping build up a good one. So the next time we are tempted to say something bad about someone , have this "triple filter test" first , and learn from the wisdom of Socrates.

The Greek Philosopher , Socrates was known for his wisdom. One time a friend of his met the great philosopher and said , "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about a friend of yours?"
"Oooopss , wait a minute," Socrates replied , "Before telling me anything about someone I'd like you to pass a little test. It is called the Triple Filter Test."
"A Triple Filter Test?" his friend inquired.
"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my friend. Let us see if you could pass this test , it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say. The first filter is TRUTH. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
To which the man replied, "No ! actually I only heard about it from someone else..." "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 someone something good?" "No, but on the contrary..." "So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you are not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though, because there is one more filter left: the filter of USEFULNESS. Is what you want to tell me about my friend something 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?"