We
should always learn from the masters . . .
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 Cups."
"Three Cups?"
"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk
to me about my student let's take a moment to pour out
the dregs of what you're going to say into the three
cups, and see what is left. The first cup is Truth.
Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about
to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it
and....."
"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know
if it's true or not.
Now let's try the second cup, the cup 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 the test though,
because there is a third cup -- the cup 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 known to be true, nor good, nor even
useful, why tell it to me at all?"
The man was defeated and ashamed. This is one of the
reason Socrates was a great
philosopher and held in such high esteem.
Yea also,
when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom
faileth him, and he sayeth to every one that he is a
fool. Ecclesiastes 10:3
MUSIC . . . HAVE A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS
