Precepts for Living: Be Certain

Don’t automatically believe what you are told.  Be Certain.

As the common joke goes, “I saw it on the internet so it must be true!”  This precept reminds us that in this era of difficult to tell reality from AI generated visuals you should not automatically believe what you are told by another. 

Further, in this era of delusional, partisan propaganda posted on every “social media” web site, and certainly that which is posted on the various “news for sale” media outlets, to rely upon the truthfulness of such reporting is folly.

 To do so is NOT using your brain!  Literally.

If you automatically assume that what is presented to you is a true reality then you have relied upon another’s mind than that of your own.  So what should you do?

To be certain is to be free from doubt, to be sure or confident about something, or to know something is true or definite.  To be certain is having no doubt, being convinced, being confident and sure.

If an habitual liar told you something was true and “swear to god it is so” should you automatically believe he or she?  Probably not for 1) they are known to be an habitual liar, 2) the cliche “swear to god” is frequently a tip off that the person is lying, and 3) you have not yet double checked the report. 

Don’t automatically believe what you are told.  Double check the report and be certain that what is reported to you is true.  That is a good precept by which to live.