Before You Speak Ill of Another, Sift Your Words Through Three Sieves – A Wise Parable Everyone Should Read
In a small town in the USA, Steven found himself troubled by a piece of gossip he had heard about his friend, Andrew. Eager to share this with someone, he decided to visit his spiritual mentor, a person known in the community for his wisdom and guidance.
As Steven arrived, he was greeted with a warm smile. “What brings you here today?” asked the mentor.
Steven, unable to contain his eagerness, blurted out, “Did you hear what Andrew did? I can’t believe he would—”
“Wait,” the mentor interrupted, raising a hand. “Before you continue, let’s sift what you’re about to say through three sieves to see if it’s worth saying at all.”
Steven, puzzled, asked, “Three sieves?”
“Yes,” the mentor replied. “The first sieve is Truth. Have you made sure that what you’re about to say is true?”
Steven hesitated. “Well, I heard it from Tristan, who heard it from Amanda…”
“So, you don’t know if it’s true,” the mentor concluded. “Let’s try the second sieve, Goodness. Is what you’re about to say something good about Andrew?”
Steven shifted uncomfortably. “No, it’s actually quite bad.”
“I see,” said the mentor, his voice steady. “Let’s apply the third sieve, Usefulness. Is it useful for me to know what you’re about to say?”
Steven thought for a moment. “I guess not. It doesn’t really change anything.”
The mentor nodded. “So, your words have failed to pass through the sieves of Truth, Goodness, and Usefulness. Why then say them at all?”
Steven, feeling a mix of shame and enlightenment, thanked his mentor and left, resolved to be more mindful of his words in the future.
However, the story doesn’t end there. Despite the mentor’s advice, Steven’s urge to share the gossip proved too strong. He told Lisa, who told Avery, and soon the rumor spread like wildfire throughout the town.
Andrew, confronted with the rumor, felt betrayed and humiliated. The friendship between Steven and Andrew fractured beyond repair. Steven watched as his circle of friends dwindled, his reputation tarnished by the very words he had failed to sift.
In the end, Steven realized the true cost of his actions. The wisdom of the three sieves, which he had neglected, haunted him. He had lost a friend, the trust of his community, and his own peace of mind—all because he chose to spread words that were neither true, good, nor useful.
The parable of the three sieves serves as a stark reminder of the power of our words and the importance of using them wisely. Steven’s story, though not with a happy ending, teaches a valuable lesson on the consequences of neglecting this wisdom.