Socrates

Keep this philosophy in mind the next time you hear, or are out to repeat a
rumour.

In ancient Greece (469 – 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.

One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him
excitedly and said, “Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of
your students…?”

“Wait a moment,” Socrates replied. “Before you tell me, I’d like you to pass a little test.. It’s called the Test of Three.”

“Test of Three?”

“That’s correct,” Socrates continued.

“Before you talk to me about my student let’s take a moment to test what you’re going to say.

The first test is Truth.

Have you made absolutely sure  that what you are about to tell me is true?”

“No,” the man replied, “actually I just heard about it.”

“All right,” said Socrates. “So you don’t really know  if it’s true or not.

Now let’s try the second test.

This is the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student
something good?”

“No, on the contrary…”

“So,” Socrates continued, “you want to tell me something bad about him even though you’re not certain it’s true?”

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued, “You may still pass though because there is a third test, the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?”

“No, not really…”

“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 was defeated and ashamed and said no more.

This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.

It also explains why Socrates never found out that Plato was banging his wife.

“Lies Tell The Best Truth Of All” – Frankie Miller

Super Bowl Weekend

“A Man In A Purple Dress” (Live) – The Who

How dare you wear a robe to preside
How dare you cover your head to hide
Your face from God
How dare you smile from behind your beard
To hide the fact your heart’s afeared,
And wave your rod
How dare you be the one to assess
Me, in this God-forsaken mess
You, a man, in a purple dress
A man in a purple dress

You are all the same
Gilded and absurd
Regal, fast to blame
Rulers by lost word
Men above men, or prats
With your high hats
You priest, you mullah so high
You pope, you wise rabbi
You’re invisible to me
Like vapour from the sea

How dare you? Do you think I’ll quietly go?
You are much braver than you know
For I can’t die
Your staff, your stick, your special cap
They’ll protect in Hell? What crap!
Believe the lie
How dare you be the one to assess
Me, in this God-forsaken mess
You, a man, in a purple dress
A man in a purple dress

When you place your frown
Between my God and prayer
However grand your crown
Or dignified your hair
Men above men, or prats
In your high hats
You priest, you mullah so high
You pope, you wise rabbi
You are invisible to me
Like vapour from the sea

I lovingly mock you noble lords
We all dress up to grant awards
I do that as well
I dare condemn your fashion sense
At least you’re not astride a fence
That would not sell
But I will deliver this address
Your soul’s condition don’t impress
You, a man, in a purple dress
A man in a purple dress

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