Words of Wisdom -Socrates' three-filter test

Rumour changes as it spreads. It is, infact, the fastest spreading thing ever. A very simple fact may be turned to a matter of great emotional importance because of rumour. It is a human nature that we tend to make opinions about a person based upon someone speaking to us. For example- if a person comes and says something about someone, we form an opinion about that person without checking if its right or wrong. We don't even bother to verify instead we directly give an opinion on it. Do we have this right?? Do we have the right to form an opinion about someone just based on a gossiper????

I would like to share a story of Socrates,the great philosopher, which can be a great way to deal with rumour or gossip.

One day a man came to Socrates and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"

"Hold on a minute" Socrates replied. "You can tell me anything about my friend if only it passes through the three filtered test".

"What is the three filtered test?",the man asked.

"First test- whatever you are going to tell me, is it good or bad?", Socrates asked.

The man said, "Sorry it is bad".

Socrates said,"Then I don't want to listen. But anyway I'll give you second filter chance. Whatever you are going to tell me, is it true or false?"

The confused man said,"Well, I haven't verified".

"Alright", said the Socrates. "So you don't know whether it's true or false. But you may still pass the test because there is still one filter test left. Is what you want to tell me about my friend is beneficial or not?"

"No, not really", the man said. 

"Well", Socrates concluded ,"Whatever you wanted to tell me about my friend is neither good, nor true, nor even beneficial. Why should I listen to you at all?

One should use this three filtered test before listening to any kind of rumor.