The staff at a local United Way office realized that it had never received a donation from the town's most successful lawyer.

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 of contributions called him to persuade him to contribute. Our research shows that out of a yearly income of at least $500,000, you give not a penny to charity. Wouldn't you like to give back to the community in some way? The lawyer mulled this over 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 mumbled, Um... No. Or, the lawyer continued, that my brother, a disabled veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair? The stricken United Way representative began to stammer out 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 pennyless with three children? The humiliated United Way representative, completely beaten, said simply, I had no idea... On a roll, the lawyer cut him off once again, So if I don't give any money to them, why should I give any to you?