25/04/2026
There are three sides to me:
The one you know personally,
The one you hear through gossip,
And the one you will never get to hear about—
because not everything deserves an explanation,
not out of fear, but out of wisdom.
Some things are better left unspoken.
Some battles are better fought in silence.
Some truths are too deep for public understanding.
Not everyone needs access to every part of your life.
Some parts are protected by wisdom,
and some are understood only by God.
Maturity teaches you that peace is more valuable than unnecessary explanations.
Silence is not weakness—it is discernment.
There is an old lesson often linked to Socrates
One day, a man came to him, eager to share negative information about one of his disciples. Before the man could begin, Socrates stopped him and asked:
“Before you speak, let us test this information.
First—Is it true?
Have you confirmed it, or is it only hearsay?
Second—Is it good?
Will these words bring peace, wisdom, or growth?
Third—Is it useful?
Will this information help me grow intellectually, morally, academically, physically, emotionally, socially, or financially—or will it only demoralize me?”
The man admitted that it was neither confirmed, nor good, nor useful.
Socrates then replied:
“If what you want to tell me is neither true, nor good, nor useful, why should I hear it?”
That wisdom still speaks today.
When you hear something about someone, ask yourself: Of what value is this to me? Will it help me grow intellectually, morally, academically, physically, emotionally, socially, or financially? Or will it only demoralize me, turning me into a tissue of disappointment and a basket of history?
As it is often said:
Great minds discuss ideas,
Average minds discuss events,
Small minds discuss people.
People who discuss people feed on gossip.
People who discuss events focus only on happenings.
But people who discuss ideas shape the future and create lasting impact.
Not every story deserves your attention, and not every rumor deserves your belief.
Some words build, while others destroy.
Wisdom is knowing the difference.
Guard your mind, protect your peace, and choose conversations that add value to your life—not those that drain your purpose and distract you from your destiny.
Because what you constantly entertain, you eventually become.
— Samuel Ifeanyi Akaraonye
