Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for March 01, 2022

No need to pretend, Rat, we know you’re going to say it.

Excellent practical use of Buddhism.

I’ve said this for years: If you can’t say anything nice, speak up so we can hear you!

That’s the ANTI-Buddhist test. And it does seem to suit Rat very well.

Does it get lots of “likes”?

is it funny?is is trippy?is it annoying?

Rat is definitely toxic!

Does that mean Rat will refrain from saying something that’s not- ice and unnecessary just because it’s true?

Rat is strictly anti-woke.

Gee mom, you look pretty today, can I have five dollars?

Rat was president not too long ago in the states of PBS. No need to keep it up if it isn’t in your nature anyway …oh. Right.

For everyone else, ask “What would Rat do?” [Do the opposite.]

Rat is a good example of what not to do!

Is it a snide comment on the internet?

I know people who go by Rat’s rule.

Rat lives in the real world

i’d add ④ is it sincere?

Rat is the original troll. He follows their rules for comment behavior. 1. Is it derogatory? 2. Is it false? 3. Is it unnecessary?

nope, yep, yep

Nice, true, and necessary: the quickest way to offend a liberal.

Rat is right that political correctness has been going against our freedom of speech.

RAT, PIG need reality checks…..

We need a fifth panel here.

What would Jesus say, tho, lol?

That’s why he’s named “Rat”, if the shoe fits.

Almost Rotarian.

Buddhism says desire nothing, advertising says desire everything.

I say things even if they’re unnecessary. Like this comment, for example.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)

Rat never shuts his trap.

Pig’s lines feel more suited for Goat.

“If you have nothing nice to say, come sit by me.” – Dorothy Parker

If it’s true, it’s probably not nice. If it’s nice, it’s probably not true. In general it’s probably not necessary.

I wonder what rat was going to say on the last panel

The Don Rickles of mousedom.

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Budda is turning over in his grave right now…

If it’s true and it’s nice, it probably won’t hurt to say it even if it isn’t necessary. Most of us could use a little more recognition for the good we do.

Of the things we think, say, or do:

  (1) Is it the TRUTH?

  (2) Is it FAIR to all concerned?

  (3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

  (4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Go ahead Rat, your stamp collector neighbor is in the unseen fifth panel with a new baseball bat he needs to test out.

If you can’t say anything nice, come sit next to me. Oscar Wilde

Rat’s version is the internet troll rule.

I’m afraid you can’t do that in a family strip, Rat.

At least Pig was right, a pleasant surprise….

i’m such a rat.