Once there was a pauper who never played up to(奉承 ) wealthy people. A rich person once asked him “ I ’m rich. Why don’t you flatter me?” “ The money you have is yours, ” the pauper replied. “ Why should I flatter you? ” “ Well, then suppose I gave one fifth of my money to you, would you flatter me then? ” “ That would be unjust. I still wouldn ’t do it.” “ If I gave you half of my wealth, would you flatter me? ” “ In that case, I would be your equal, why should I flatter? ” “ Well, suppose I gave you all of it, I ’m sure you would flatter me then?” “ In that case, I would be the rich man. There would no longer be any point in my playing up to you! ”