“Have you heard, aliens are everywhere. They are taller than the tallest tree on Earth, they are spitting fire from the mouth and burning down every where.”


“Have you seen one yet?”


“No. But I’ve also heard that beautiful Mrs. Hawk has dumped her husband for one of the aliens.”


“How true is that? Where did you get that information from?”


“The social media. You haven’t seen it yet?

That’s not all…”


“What else?”


“I gathered from a reliable source that your partner is in a scandal, which by association, has the potential to ruin your reputation.”


“Do you’ve proofs?”


“No. Do I need proofs to believe the veracity?”


Damaging effects of rumors and negative effects of gossip are real. Rumors and gossip are as old human existence.


They have always been a part of human existence and will continue to be.


Gossip and rumors have destroyed relationships, ruined homes, weakened self confidence, destroyed personalities and caused wars.


You can make the choice not to make yourself available for use as a rumor-monger and a gossipmonger.


Next time, someone comes to you with gossip, apply Socrates three sieves test.


What are Socrates three sieves?


Socrates had the reputation of being of great wisdom. One day someone came to visit him and said:


“You know what I just heard about your friend?-


“Wait a moment,” replied Socrates, before you tell me, I would like to give you a test, that of the three sieves.”


“The three sieves?”


“Before telling something about others, it is good to take the time to filter what you want to say. The first sieve is that of truth. Have you verified that what you are going to tell me is true?”


“No, I only heard about it …”


“Very well. So you don’t know if it’s true. Let’s continue with the second sieve, that of kindness. Is that something good you wanna tell me about my friend?”


“Oh no, on the contrary!-

“So you want to tell me bad things about him and you don’t even know if they’re true. Maybe you can still pass the test, there is the third sieve left, that of utility. Does it help me to know what this friend would have done?”


“Not really.”


“So, concluded Socrates, what you wanted to tell me is neither true, nor good, nor useful. So why did you want to tell me?”

https://ayietim.com/2021/09/08/how-to-curb-negative-effects-of-gossip-with-socrates-three-sieves/