The way you play should depend on position.
If you are in early position, you should push preflop, flop and turn. This represents that you have a hand, and represents that you have a big hand. Most people will get out of your way unless they have a monster, which is why you check the river to try and minimize losses.
If you are in middle position, you should never play. You could get bullied from early position, and you don't know what is going to happen from late position. Too many bad things could happen.
If you are in late position, you should only stay in the hand if the pot is unraised, and if there are only 2 or 3 players in the hand. In this case, push all the way, and try to buy the pot. If these are not the circumstances of the hand, get out.
The key is, represent big, no one else knows what you are holding. You could actually hit your trips, or buy the pot. Well worth the gamble in certain situations.