Learn from me that a wise man who has heard a criminal accusation related with so many absurd particulars ceases to be wise when he makes himself the echo of what he has heard, for if the accusation should turn out to be a calumny, he would himself become the accomplice of the slanderer.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A wise person stops being wise when they repeat unverified accusations without scrutiny. Doing so makes them an accomplice if the accusation turns out to be false.
- In plain terms
- Don't repeat unverified accusations or you become part of the slander.
- What can you take from it?
- Verify claims before repeating them to avoid spreading falsehoods.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When have you repeated something without checking?
- How do you verify sensitive claims?
Another view
Sometimes caution is needed even without full verification in urgent situations.
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