"The words of the tongue should have three gatekeepers: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?" Arabian proverb

I am particuarly, and always have been, taken with the issue of the true and necessary. They aren't things I've always been so good at adhering to (nor was I ever very adept at the kind) - my past is cheqeured with many colourful episodes of things that either denigrated others, or denigrated myself.

I have to consider what can be gained from whatever I say, particularly when relating my troubles, frustrations, or anger. If all I can gain from what I say, is something that weakens me or someone else, what's the point in saying it? These things are particularly apt to online behaviour - whether conversational or journalistic. Online, there is no necessity whatever, of uttering certain things to people, of making a spectacle of yourself. Online, there is always a choice to not say anything, or to stop oneself. There isn't the same excuse of offline provocation from someone who's in your face.

I'm not suggesting the silent sufferer routine, being the quiet martyr to one's pains. I'm certainly not one, nor do I ever hope to be one. However, considering the necessity of whatever I say, stops me from making an ass of myself, and stops me from whining about things that really don't matter in the slightest.