One Greek king wanted to know which of the two was worse—the money-lover or the envious one—because both did not wish the other well. For this purpose, he ordered to call to himself the money-lover and the envious and said to them:
- Ask me whatever you want, just know that the second will receive twice what the first asks.
The money-lover and the envious one bickered for a long time, each not wanting to ask first, so that later they could receive double. Finally the king told the envious one to ask first. The envious one, being overwhelmed by ill will towards his neighbors, instead of receiving, turned to malice and said to the king:
- Sovereign! Order me to gouge out my eye.
The surprised king asked why he expressed such a desire.
The envious one replied:
- So that you, sir, order my comrade to gouge out two eyes.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru