Dumping my clipboard

Yeah, I collect stuff like this over the days. Little blurbs or passages that ‘ring true’ to me.

In Ancient Greece, Socrates had a great reputation of wisdom. One day, someone came to find the great philosopher and said to him:
– Do you know what I just heard about your friend?
– A moment, replied Socrates. Before you tell me, I would like to test you the three sieves.
– The three sieves?
– Yes, continued Socrates. Before telling anything about the others, it’s good to take the time to filter what you mean. I call it the test of the three sieves. The first sieve is the TRUTH. Have you checked if what you’re going to tell me is true?
– No, I just heard it.
– Very good! So, you don’t know if it’s true. We continue with the second sieve, that of KINDNESS. What you want to tell me about my friend, is it good?
– Oh, no! On the contrary.
– So, questioned Socrates, you want to tell me bad things about him and you’re not even sure they’re true? Maybe you can still pass the test of the third sieve, that of UTILITY. Is it useful that I know what you’re going to tell me about this friend?
– No, really.
– So, concluded Socrates, what you were going to tell me is neither true, nor good, nor useful. Why, then, did you want to tell me this?

“Gossip is a bad thing. In the beginning it may seem enjoyable and fun, but in the end, it fills our hearts with bitterness and poisons us, too!”

Gossip undresses and shames and leaves innocent people who cannot defend themselves vulnerable. It unclothes human dignity and shames the others unfairly. We kill innocent people with our gossip and bad mouthing… Gossip is the stripping of human dignity by bitter souls…

– Pope Francis

Did Socrates actually say this? Since it comes from a Pope I would say its at least “Plausible”, especially in light of other Socratic teachings.

I had just read the above when one of the crew at work started talking smack about another emp; one who was NOT present. While I agreed with the assessment, I had to come to the mentioned Emps defense, simply as I do NOT like gossiping. Of all the people on the hill, I am the last to ‘learn information’ about goings on and peoples in the area. I don’t abide talking smack about people when they can’t argue their case: EVEN IF they are Peices of ShIiTe,,,

Now, I will make observations, offer opinion, but I won’t spread rumor about people I know first, second or third hand; Especially those last two,,, I have no basis of knowledge, how can I have an opinion.

And that is where I drive stake,,, If you have only second and third hand information, AS STATED IN THE ABOVE QOUTE, your opinion is tainted and not founded in facts.

ALWAYS THE FACTS.

Sadly, gossips abound,,, And there are many that feel, despite their ignorance, or maybe due to their ignorance, they have opinions that carry more wieght than everyone elses. I like to call that sort “Poly-tick-ians”.

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Went to lake, got there, was sitting on the dock, (sitin’ on the dock of the bay,,, watchin’ the tide roll away,,,, Apologies,,, I do get carried away with the muse,,,,) and just had this longing for FRIENDS,,,

SO, instead of busting the straps on Lizzy, or BJ, I fired up Buff, and headed the last 20 miles to B’s place. Managed a meetup long enough to know they were headed out for a bit, but returning, and here I am sitting, tapping this out waiting. And my mindset is “At peace”,,, Maybe water therapy would have done the trick, but sometimes, just a change in scenery and the promise of friends is good enough. Never forget the power of people in your life: hermit I may be, but I am not a rock in solitude. I need people as much as my four-feets.