开口之前的三个问题

类别：成长

讲述遵循祖母的沟通法则，在想要卖弄聪明时选择沉默与善意的智慧。

时长 62 秒 · 语速 136 wpm

字幕原文

My grandmother had a rule about talking. 我奶奶立过一个说话的规矩。

Before you say something, ask three questions. 开口之前，先问自己三个问题。

Is it true? 这是真的吗？

Is it useful? 这有用吗？

Is it kind? 这善意吗？

I thought it was a rule for children. 我以前总觉得这是哄小孩子的规矩。

Last Friday, at dinner, a friend was describing her new business idea. 上周五吃晚饭时，一个朋友聊起了她创业的新点子。

I saw the problem with it immediately. 我一眼就看出了里面的问题。

A clever sentence formed in my mouth, sharp and funny. 一句俏皮话已经到了嘴边，既犀利又搞笑。

The table would have laughed. 要是说出来，整桌人都得笑翻。

Is it true? 这是真的吗？

Yes. 是的。

Completely. 千真万确。

Is it useful? 这有用吗？

Hmm. 嗯……

She'd already quit her job. 可她工作都已经辞了。

Is it kind? 这善意吗？

No. 并不。

It was about me, being clever. 我只是想显摆自己聪明罢了。

I closed my mouth. 我把嘴闭上了。

I asked her a question instead. 转而问了她一个问题。

And as she answered, she found the problem herself, 就在她回答的时候，她自己意识到了那个问题，

and started solving it out loud. 并且开始大声琢磨起解决办法来。

My clever sentence is gone now. 那句聪明话现在早就烟消云散了。

I can't even remember it exactly. 我甚至都记不清具体是怎么说的了。

I've regretted plenty of things I said. 我说错话后悔过很多次。

I'm still waiting to regret one I swallowed. 但把话咽回去，我还从没后悔过一次。