shanmonster | Philosophy Lesson

In ancient Greece, the great philosopher Socrates (469-399BC), was known for his wisdom.

One day he spoke with a pupil who exclaimed: "Socrates, guess what I just heard about one of your students!"

"Pause a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me anything, let me ask you three questions."

"Three questions?"

"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you tell me what you heard, I must ask you... Is it Truth?"

"Well," the man replied, "I don't know if it's true, I just heard it from Xenophon, I don't know it for a fact."

"My second question," said Socrates. "Is it Good?"

"No," the man said. "I mean... To the contrary..."

"So, it's neither Truth or Good," noted Socrates. "Now, my third question. Is it Useful?"

"No, it's not," the man admitted. "I cannot see how you would benefit."

"Well," concluded Socrates, with a smile: "If what you want to tell me is neither Truth, Good or Useful, then why tell me at all?"

After this exchange Socrates' pupil continued on his way, with new understanding and increased regard for the wisdom of Socrates.

This also explains why Socrates never found out that Plato was banging his wife (thanks, Rogue).