Grandpa Hodge was the most popular sage in the village. His philosophical way of speaking and acting earned him the revered title of "Grandpa Wisdom."
One day, a man hurried to Grandpa Wisdom and said, "Grandpa, I have a piece of news to tell you…"
"Wait a moment," Grandpa Hodge stroked his beard and interrupted. "Have you sifted the news you will tell me through three sieves?"
"Three sieves? Which three?" the man asked, puzzled.
"The first sieve is Truth," said Grandpa Hodge, narrowing his eyes. "Is the news you will tell me true?"
"I don't know. I overheard it on the street."
"Then let's use the second sieve," Grandpa Hodge continued. "If the news is not true, is it at least friendly?"
The man answered hesitantly, "No, just the opposite…"
Grandpa Hodge interrupted again, "Then we apply the third sieve. Is this news that excites you very important?"
"It is not so important," the man replied with embarrassment.
Grandpa Hodge patted the man's shoulder and said meaningfully, "Since the news is neither true, nor friendly, nor important, please do not tell me. Then it will trouble neither you nor me."
The man took the lesson to heart and never spread the overheard news again.