Jataka Wise Valuer

tale:jataka_wise_valuer

A king replaces his honest valuer with a greedy courtier who, to please the king, undervalues a merchant's horses at a measure of rice. Asked then what all the king's city is worth, the new valuer — coached by the Bodhisattva — solemnly prices the whole realm at that same measure of rice, shaming the king before his court into restoring the honest man. Moral: a crooked measure, carried to its end, condemns itself. — Jataka tale