Test of Three - about backbiting

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 right,"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 said, "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, 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?"