SHOULD WE TOTALLY TURN A DEAF EAR TO GOSSIPS AND RUMOURS?

Recently, I received a short article from a friend regarding a great philosopher way back 2,500 years ago who was admired for his words of wisdom. I believe the crux of the story could be a true event but a smart guy from somewhere in our modern era creatively added in slight twists, especially the end part. Although the twists seem an act of mischief which should be ignored, yet upon my reflection, I feel there is a valid point to what the “twister” was trying to convey.

The story goes like this (together with the twists)………..

One day, a disciple of the philosopher excitedly approached and said: “Master, I just heard something about another teacher that is being spread around. I want to tell you about it………” The sage quickly interrupted and told that the latter had to pass three positive test questions first before being allowed to proceed further. 

The first test question was, whether the information being spread around was without doubt confirmed as true. To this, the disciple replied: “I don’t know…….I was actually told by a relative who said he had heard a group of people in the neighbourhood talking about it.

The second question was, whether the information was something good about the other person. “No, on the contrary,” was the retort.

At this point, the sage remarked that the answers to the first two tests failed to meet the positive requirements but his disciple could still qualify to proceed telling him the rumour if the response to the third test was in positive mode. “The third test is on usefulness. Is what you want to tell me useful for my work or will make me happy?” The much younger man paused for a while and replied in a solemn tone, “No, I don’t think so.”

The wise master then summarised that if the information may not be true, not good about another person and not useful to the listener, there was no point to discourse further on the subject as it would not be beneficial to any party. He also reminded his disciple to refrain from rumour mongering.

The disciple walked away in dismay of his own imprudence.

The story is an example of the wisdom of the great philosopher and why he was revered for his philosophies. 

Now, comes the main twist as the end of this story……..

It also explains why the great philosopher never found out about the rumour that the other teacher was having an affair with his wife and stealing some of his philosophical works while the sage was away fully engrossed in sharing his philosophies.

Perhaps, the following may be valid moral of the story with its twists:

*Have an open mind for listening.

* Listen first to decipher the relevance of what is heard. Check it out if need be.

* Even the wise may not be perfect. They can misjudge.

* Sometimes, rumours and gossips may be useful as “signals” of the trend and for preparation to face what may likely come your way.  

Quotes from a Greek philosopher:

“As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.”

“Wisdom begins in wonder.”

“Wisdom is knowing how little we know.”

“By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you’ll be happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.”

Cheers to philosophies and moral lessons.