Posts: 5378
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2005

posted April 18, 2005 11:31 AM         

---

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely
lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher
was approached by an acquaintance who ran up to him
excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just
heard about one of your students – the one called
Plato?"
"Please pause before you speak," Socrates
replied. "And ask yourself whether your words might
pass three tests."
"What tests?"
"What you have to say about Plato—first ask
yourself: "Is it true?"
"I—I don't know," the man said, "I just heard
about it and..."
"So you don't really know if it's true or not."
"No, I don't," the man answered.
Socrates smiled and nodded. "Now let us ask the second
question: Is what you are about to tell me good?"
"No—on the contrary..."
"So," Socrates said, "you wish to tell me
something bad about him, even though you're not
certain it's true?"
The man shrugged, a little embarrassed, as
Socrates continued:
"Still, your news may at least pass the third
test: Is what you want to tell me going to be truly
useful?"
The man shook his head.
"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 nodded in understanding, defeated but
wiser for it.
And this is the reason that the sage philosopher
Socrates was held in such high esteem.
It also explains why the Greek sage never found
out that Plato was sleeping with his wife.

IP: Logged

Posts: 2056
From: Colorado, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted April 18, 2005 12:19 PM         

---

I don't believe it either! Good ol' Socrates!

IP: Logged

Posts: 5378
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2005

posted April 18, 2005 12:21 PM         

---

Hi Johnny!!!

IP: Logged

Posts: 5927
From: The Little River Indian Reservation
Registered: Jan 2002

posted April 22, 2005 07:47 PM         

---

Me thinks that Socrates' wisdom, saved him a lot of heartache...

....from whence came such sayings as....

"Ignorance is bliss"

.....and.....

"What you don't know won't hurt you"

Let's hear it for Socrates!!!!

Love,
Rainbow

IP: Logged

Posts: 2296
From: A temporary home
Registered: May 2004

posted April 23, 2005 12:56 PM         

---

IP: Logged