You see these fine trees.

I will cut them down and distribute the wood among the poor.
_Paul and Jean._ What! gratis?
_Pierre._ Not exactly.

There would soon be an end of my good works if I scattered my property thus.

I think that my park is worth twenty thousand livres; by cutting it down I shall get much more for it.
_Paul._ A mistake.

Your wood as it stands is worth more than that in the neighboring forests, for it renders services which that cannot give.
When cut down it will, like that, be good for burning only, and will not be worth a sou more per cord.
_Pierre._ Oh! Mr.Theorist, you forget that I am a practical man.