4 ms·

Ask yourself: -is it true? -is it useful? If the answer is no to either question, just skip it

• baddox 15y ago
  Presumably you're using those two questions to determine whether you should say aloud a thought in your head. The problem is that "is it useful?" is pretty much semantically the same as "should I say it?"
  • paulsutter 15y ago
    There are useful statements that should be avoided. Some statements are true but not useful. Like telling your grandmother that she looks like an old hag. Some statements are useful but not true. Like pretending to be sick to avoid school. The damage from the latter can be more subtle but runs deeper. Things that are both useful -and- true, those are worth saying. It isn't always easy to tell what is useful, so it's best to rely on your intention. It's good enough to mean the best. When uncertain about usefulness, err on the side of being truthful.