People like to speak about the affairs of others. This is as true today as it was back in my beloved Athens. Often what they say about other people amounts to nothing more than rumor, innuendo, or gossip. This is surely not worthy of our time. So, when someone comes to you eager to share some information, ask first: Are you certain that what you want to tell me is true? Then ask, is your statement going to be good or kind? Then ask, is it necessary that I know this piece of information?
If your friend's information is neither true, nor kind, and is unnecessary to you, tell them to please say nothing at all.
- Socrates
