October 2, 2007
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The Three Sieves
GOSSIP!Did that word attract you?
I was looking at an English workbook, Exploring English Form 3, published by Penerbit Fajar Bakti Sdn Bhd when I came across this dialogue. Very interesting. Pardon the messy formatting.. tried very hard to align it but I couldn’t.
Man: Socrates, listen to this bit of gossip about your friend. It’s really shocking. He is…Socrates: Wait! Don’t tell it before you have passed it through the three sieves.Man: What three sieves? I don’t know what you mean.Socrates: First, let’s see whether you what you want to tell me can pass through these three sieves. The first is truth. Are you sure that what you’re going to say is the truth?Man: Well, I’m not sure, actually. I heard the story second-hand.Socrates: Hmm. Well, let’s go on and see whether it can pass through the second sieve. Is what you’re going to say kind?Man: Not exactly. In fact, it’s the opposite.Socrates: So that takes care of that. Now tell me – is it necessary or is it not?Man: Not really.Socrates: Well, if it’s not true, kind or necessary, then don’t tell it.I am reminded to think before I say anything.
