E.V. Lucas's Third Thoughts: Morality in Business Deals

Third Thoughts by E.V. Lucas (1868–1938)

Literal Comprehension

Once, the writer’s friend, while visiting New York, bought a painting thinking that it was by Turner. He got it at a cheap price since the seller was also confused about its originality. With the painting, he went to London and sold it for fifty pounds. He was so happy that he decided to share the profit with the seller in New York. At first, he decided to share fifty percent of his profit and wrote a letter, but having no stamp, he went to his room. Again, at about 3 AM, he thought it quite inappropriate to share the profit but still thought of sending ten pounds only. His thinking kept changing, and he couldn’t sleep well. Again, he thought of sending five pounds, thinking that if he shared, the Goddess would be angry, and he thought it was he who knew the value of the painting. If the seller had known it, he wouldn’t have given it to him at such a cheap rate, so it was wrong to send him the profit. Finally, he decided to send only one pound. Early in the morning, he went outside and spent all his money gambling. Finally, he concluded that buying and selling are straightforward matters. Everyone in this matter tries to get benefit. The buyer, once paying for the goods, has no obligation to the dealer.

Interpretation

The story, presenting the constantly changing nature of the human mind, seems to be full of humor and satire. Basically, thinking with the nature of a businessman’s mind, it proves that the human mind can never be rigid and fixed. Especially in business, their minds keep changing. At another level, it sheds light on human earning, since the earning like that of the writer’s friend has no meaning at all in life. The most important thing in the story is that in business, buying and selling are straightforward dealings. It has nothing to do with human consideration, sympathy, and faith. Once goods are sold or bought, they have nothing to do with them from then on.

Critical Thinking

The story offers a great deal of humor and satire. But in many respects, it doesn’t seem appropriate and convincing. The first is: Does anyone really want to share his profit? It is quite unbelievable. Similarly, the seller of any good usually knows its quality and cost. Does any seller sell his goods without knowing their value?

Assimilation

As I went through the story, it reminded me of events that I experienced earlier. Once, I had been to my village after a long time away in the city. I had taken a beautiful watch there. Everyone liked it. One of my friends promised to pay Rs 500 for it, so I gave it to him. I got Rs 300 as profit, and so I became extremely happy.