The wisdom of Socrates
Socrates was a Greek philosopher whose understanding of the world was characterized by knowledge of human nature, ethical principles and unchanging values. In many points his views show great overlap with the teachings of Buddha.
Few personalities were able to leave a lasting mark on their posterity; Socrates was such an exceptional figure.
The following story has been handed down from his life, which by its simple clarity has retained its validity to this day:
A visitor arrived at Socrates' home, a man who had traveled far to meet the great thinker.
In conversation, the guest began, "Do you know what your friend said"? Socrates immediately interrupted the man, "Stop!" He is said to have replied. "Before you tell me a news, about a third person, I must ask you something. Did you give this story through the three sieves"?
"What sieves?" Asked the man.
Socrates replied, "Well, every story I deal with, it has to pass the test of the THREE SIFTS. First, there is the sieve of truth. Have you checked to see if what you are about to tell me is really true?"
The visitor became thoughtful, he answered, "No, I only heard it, whether there is any truth in it I don't know, but the one who told me was credible."
"Well then" replied the philosopher, "have you then given this report through the sieve of goodness, is it a good thing that you want to tell me about"?
The visitor now became meek and said, "No, even the opposite, it is not a good thing of which the event reports".
"I suppose that can't be helped, but surely the incident you want to tell me about will be of some use to me after all, was what you want to tell me given through the sieve of usefulness?"
"Usefulness, no, the anecdote has no real usefulness either, it is about gossip," the guest replied to the learned man.
"Then I don't want to hear about it either," Socrates said sullenly, "if it is not secured truth, is not good and has no real use, why do you want to waste my time with it?" "Please do not burden me with such nonsense"!
The "message" of this story is not to make unreflective statements, not to start rumors.
The question is always whether a story can pass the requirements of the three sieves?
THE SIEVE OF TRUTH: IS IT TRUE WHAT IS BEING TOLD HERE?
THE SIEVE OF GOODNESS: IS IT GOOD WHAT IS TO BE TOLD HERE?
THE SIEVE OF USEFULNESS: IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS EVENT USEFUL?
Each of us is omniscient. We only need to open our consciousness to listen to our own wisdom. The heart then knows the way.
- Buddha -
To gossip is to confess other people's sins
- Wilhelm Busch - German Poet - 1832 to 1908
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