human
Sir, I am informed my people are murmuring at my injustice. Is it true?
gpt
The people always murmur, Your Majesty. They are many, and not all can be content, even when ruled by so wise and just a King. In every land and in every age there are those who rebel against the laws, and the protests of the few are ever heard above the contentment of the many.
human
I am told, continued the King, severely,
gpt
There are always beggars, Your Majesty, in every country, replied the Chamberlain,
human
Do we tax the poor?
gpt
All are taxed, sire, returned the Treasurer, who was pale from anxiety, for never before had the King so questioned him,
human
But a little from the poor man may distress him, while the rich subject would never feel the loss. Why do we tax the poor at all?
gpt
Because, Your Majesty, should we declare the poor free from taxation all your subjects would at once claim to be poor, and the royal treasury would remain empty. And as none are so rich but there are those richer, how should we, in justice, determine which are the rich and which are the poor?