Socrates and Gossip

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 Triple Filter Test."

"Triple filter?"

"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my
student let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The
first filter 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 filter, the filter 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 filter - 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.

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

Amazing Boss..

Scientists at the Rocket launching station in Thumba, were in the habit
of working for nearly 12 to
18 hours a day. There were about Seventy such scientists working on a
project. All the scientists were really frustrated due to the pressure
of work and the demands of their boss but everyone was loyal to him and
did not think of quitting the job.

One day, one scientist came to his boss and told him - Sir, I have
promised to my children that I will take them to the exhibition going on
in our township. So I want to leave the office at 5 30 pm.

His boss replied - O K, , You are permitted to leave the office early
today.

The Scientist started working. He continued his work after lunch. As
usual he got involved to such an extent that he looked at his watch when
he felt he was close to completion.The time was 8.30 p.m

Suddenly he remembered of the promise he had given to his children. He
looked for his boss,,He was not there. Having told him in the morning
itself, he closed everything and left for home.

Deep within himself, he was feeling guilty for having disappointed his
children.

He reached home. Children were not there.His wife alone was sitting in
the hall and reading magazines. The situation was explosive, any talk
would boomerang on him.

His wife asked him - Would you like to have coffee or shall I straight
away serve dinner if you are hungry.

The man replied - If you would like to have coffee, i too will have but
what about Children???

Wife replied- You don't know - Your manager came at 5 15 p.m and has
taken the children to the exhibition.

What had really happened was

The boss who granted him permission was observing him working seriously
at 5.00 p.m. He thought to himself, this person will not leave the work,
but if he has promised his children they should enjoy the visit to
exhibition. So he took the lead in taking them to exhibition

The boss does not have to do it everytime. But once it is done, loyalty
is established.

That is why all the scientists at Thumba continued to work under their
boss eventhough the stress was tremendous.

By the way , can you hazard a guess as to who the boss was????????


He was the president of India Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam.