posted July 23, 2013 03:57 AM            

Sometimes this old song goes around my head...

posted July 27, 2013 10:50 PM            

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who 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 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 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 replied, "actually I just heard about it."

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if 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 something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued, "You may still pass though because there is a 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," concluded 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 held in such high esteem.

posted July 28, 2013 03:50 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by somethingexcellent:
I was watching a programme earlier about gossip and it found that gossip releases chemicals in the brain quite similar to the chemical release primates experience from grooming!

Stick your nose up at gossip all you want, I'll be over here grooming with my fellow humans.

---

------------------
Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal

posted July 28, 2013 04:24 PM            

Negative gossip on the other hand is damaging to self and others.

It brings to mind the Four Agreements. One can still gossip while keeping it between the lines.

The Four Agreements
by Don Miguel Ruiz

* Be Impeccable With Your Word*

Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

* Don't Take Anything Personally *

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

* Don't Make Assumptions *

Find the Courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

* Always do your Best *

Your best is going to change from moment to monent; it will be different when you are as healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse and regret.