The 3 Sieves and The 4 Way Test

The other day I came across a piece posted on facebook by a man called Adams Noah. Not knowing him I would have skipped it, but it was a story about Socrates that caught my eye.

Supposedly someone came to the ancient Greek philosopher with something to tell about one of his students.

“Do you know what I just heard about your friend?” The man asked

“A moment,” replied Socrates. “Before you tell me, I would like to test it with the three sieves.”

“The three sieves?”

“Yes,” continued the wise man. “Before you speak about others, it’s important to take the time to filter what you mean. I call it the test of the three sieves. The first sieve is TRUTH. Have you checked if what you’re going to tell me is true?”

“No, I just heard it.”

“Very well! So, you don’t know if it’s true. Let’s move on to the second sieve, that of KINDNESS. Is what you want to tell me about my friend something good?”

“Oh, no! On the contrary.”

“So,” questioned Socrates, “you want to tell me something negative about him, and you’re not even sure it’s true? Perhaps you can still pass the test of the third sieve, that of UTILITY. Is it useful for me to know what you’re going to tell me about this friend?”

“No, not really.”

“Therefore,” concluded Socrates, “what you were going to tell me is neither true, nor good, nor useful. Why, then, did you want to tell me this?”

A slight bit of research suggest this story is probably apocryphal. However, it did remind me of something that is based in fact, The Rotary Four Way Test.

Of the things we think, say or do

1. 1. Is it the TRUTH?
   2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
   3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
   4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Written in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor, “The Four Way” was an ethical guideline for running a company facing bankruptcy during the Great Depression. It was adopted by Rotary in 1943 and has become a moral code for all Rotarians in their personal and professional life.

Both the “Three Sieves” and “The Four Way Test” remind us of many Biblical injunctions to avoid gossip, repeating hearsay, and spreading misinformation.

Proverbs 16:28
A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends

Proverbs 11:13
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Titus 3:2
To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people

These and many more scriptures admonish us to be honest, ethical, and amiable in our interaction with others. To speak the truth. To be kind. To avoid spreading gossip. To treat others like we want to be treated.

Eleanor Roosevelt is credited with saying, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”

George Harrison once quipped that “gossip is the Devil’s radio.” Today, he might say “gossip is the Devil’s internet.” Or facebook. Or Twitter. Or social media.

Let’s be careful what we say, repeat, or post about other people. Let’s check our motives. Our purpose. Our intentions. Our heart.

Finally, let these words of Jesus sink in your heart before you say or post something about another person. “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:36

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman