‘Just a moment, friend,’ said the sage. ‘Have you sifted what you are going to tell me through the three sieves? Let us see whether what you mean to tell me will stand the test. The first of the sieves is that of truth: have you made sure that all you are going to tell me is true?’
‘Well, no. I just heard others say it.’
‘I see. Of course, insofar as it is not even true, we can scarcely bother with it, unless it happens to be something good. Will it stand the test of the sieve of goodness?’
‘Oh, no. Indeed, on the contrary….’
‘Hmm, ‘I’m not sure he said it, and what he is supposed to have said serves no good’? Perhaps it is necessary that I know this in order to prevent harm to others?”Well, no. If you look at it in that way….”Very well, then,’ said Socrates, ‘since what you have come to tell me about the case is neither true nor good nor needful, let us forget all about it. There are so many worthwhile things in life that we can’t afford to bother with what is so worthless as to be neither good nor true nor needful.’
Unless it is really important, don’t write. If you feel it is of some importance, then you can write. And then, too, make it as short as possible, make it telegraphic. And ponder over what Socrates said – it will help you: let them pass through the three sieves.
Abridged from The Secret of Secrets, courtesy Osho International Foundation, www.osho.com