in the world. With power I could get all the money I wanted."
"So you want power, huh?" asked the genie.
"Well, yes," said the man, now a bit hesitant because of the genie's
less-than-enthusiastic tone. "Of course, with money I suppose I
could buy power. Which do you think I should ask for, Genie?"
"How about world peace or personal humility or an end to famine or
maybe an end to greed," suggested the genie, emphasizing the last
phrase. "Or perhaps the gift of discernment or knowledge or
spiritual enlightenment or even simple happiness."
"But with money or power I could buy or command all those," objected
the man.
"Yeah, sure," said the genie.
"Well, just give me power and I'll show you that I can have
everything else, too."
"You shall have what you ask," said the genie resignedly. "Whether
you shall have what you imagine you must learn for yourself, and you
will soon find out."
"Well, I certainly hope to have it all. Don't you ever hope, Genie?"
"Yes," said the genie. "I hope that someday my lamp will fall into
the hands of a wise man."
And so the man was given power over everything on earth, over every
government, every event, every activity of every soul. As a result,
his name was soon pronounced with hatred and contempt by everyone,
and in a few months he was assassinated by his most trusted followers.
Several One Way Conversations
"Yes, they are shackles, but they are made of gold," said the man, as
he asked for another pair on his wrists and two more on his ankles.
* * *
"You can see how great I am by observing what I have done," said the
chisel to the other tools, as they gazed upon the beautiful statue.
* * *
"My word is as good as my check," said the forger, as he handed over
partial payment and promised to pay the balance later.
* * *
"May you get everything you want," said the philosopher to his enemy,
knowing that his enemy would not recognize his words as a curse.
* * *
"I'll teach this dirt not to muddy my shoes," said the man,
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