Bit by Bit - Chapter 4, Part 4

Trey Smith

Kings and dukes always lord it over others and fight to win the argument. You will find your eyes growing dazed, your color changing, your mouth working to invent excuses, your attitude becoming more and more humble, until in your mind you end by supporting him. This is to pile fire on fire, to add water to water, and is called `increasing the excessive.' If you give in at the beginning, there is no place to stop. Since your fervent advice is almost certain not to be believed, you are bound to die if you come into the presence of a tyrant.
~ Burton Watson translation ~

It seems to be a human tendency to want to be on the winning side. In politics, candidates will say just about A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G to gain votes. It makes little difference if they mean or even believe what they say. All that counts is receiving one more vote than their opponent[s].

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