The staff at a local United Way office realized that it had never received a donation from the town's most successful lawyer. The person in charge of1 contributions called him to persuade him to contribute. "Our research shows that out of a yearly income2 of at least $700,000, you give not a penny to charity. Wouldn't you like to give back to the community in some way?" The lawyer mulled this over3 for a moment and replied, "First, did your research also show that my mother is dying after a long illness, and has medical bills that are several times her annual income?" Embarrassed, the United Way representative mumbled4, "Um... No." "Or," the lawyer continued, "that my brother, a disabled veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair?" The mortified United Way representative began to stammer out5 an apology but was interrupted when the lawyer added, "Or that my sister's husband died in a traffic accident?" the lawyer's voice rising in indignation, "Leaving her penniless with three children?" The humiliated United Way representative, completely beaten, said simply, "I had no idea..." On a roll6, the lawyer cut him off7 once again, "So if I don't give any money to them, why should I give any to you?"
Glossary