A wealthy man who enjoys flattery said to a poor man:
– I am rich, why don’t you flatter me?
The poor man replied:
– Your wealth is your business; why should I flatter you?
The wealthy man insisted:
– Then I will share half of my fortune with you; will you flatter me then?
– If I were to receive half of your fortune, I would be just as rich as you, so why would I need to flatter you?
The wealthy man continued:
– I will give you my entire fortune; surely you must flatter me then?
– At that point, it would be you who should flatter me!
