Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Three Times


"There is an old saying, 'Reflect three times before speaking.' This means that prior to saying or doing something, you should reflect on it three times....after reflecting three times, if it is considered to be good each time, you should say or do it. When wise people in China say to reflect on things three times, they mean many times. Pondering before speaking, considering before acting; if it is good each time you think about the matter, you should speak or do it." -- Dogen

(Photo: Residential buildings in Battersea, on Saturday.)
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7 comments:

  1. mouse (aka kimy)December 7, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    wise practice.... if only i could always be mindful of it!

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  2. 37paddingtonDecember 7, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    what are you pondering saying?

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  3. Reya MellickerDecember 7, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    If only! Wouldn't it be great if we heeded that advice?

    Love the tiny planets app. Going right now to get it.

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  4. Steve ReedDecember 7, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Angella: Nothing specific!

    Kim & Reya: I know, right? It's idealistic advice in this day and age -- wish I could follow it myself!

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  5. Linda SueDecember 7, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    I FAIL!

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  6. BarbaraDecember 8, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    So hard to do! We just weren't wired to edit our thoughts before speaking, especially around people we know and love.

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  7. eDecember 8, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    Actually, the older I get, the more I find myself refraining from speaking in many situations...

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