Krishnamurthi said “it is better to say nothing, unless you’re quite sure that what you wish to say is true, kind and helpful.”

But from whose perspective do we assess if the true thing is kind and helpful?

We sometimes think our good friend or family member needs to hear an unpleasant truth. But most people don’t want to hear unpleasant truths.

They don’t see that unpleasant truth for a reason.

So why stir the pot?

If you tell someone an unpleasant truth they’ll often attack you. They certainly won’t feel like you’ve been kind. Or helpful.

To them kindness means letting them believe whatever they’re already inclined to believe.

And don’t try to explain that most beliefs are formed by years of cultural influence, and other types of conditioning.

That’s probably the most unpleasant truth of all.