“That is what some would say. But a businessman, too, lives on the possessions of others.”
“Well said. But he does not take the possessions of others for nothing; he gives them his goods for them.”
“That does indeed seem to be their relationship. Each takes, each gives, that is life.”
“But, if I may ask: if you have no possessions what do you have to give?”
“Each gives what he has. The warrior gives strength, the businessman gives goods, the teacher gives teaching, the farmer gives rice, the fisherman gives fish.
“Very well. And what is it, then, that you have to give? What is it that you have learnt to do?”
“I can think. I can wait. I can fast.”
“Is that all?”
“I think that is all!”
“And what is the good of that? Fasting, for instance, what is the good of that?”