frederick s. parsons, an income tax consultant, had been disputingand wrangling for an hour with a goverment tax inspector. an item ofnine thousand dollars was at stake. mr. parsons claimed that this ninethousand dollars was in reality a bad debt, that it would never becollected, that it ought not to be taxed. "bad debt, my eye !" retorted theinspector. "it must be taxed." "this inspector was cold, arrogant and stubborn," mr. parsons said ashe told the story to the class. "reason was wasted and so were facts...the longer we argued, the more stubborn he became. so i decided toavoid argument, change the subject, and give him appreciation. "i said, 'i suppose this is a very petty matter in comparison with thereally important and difficult decisions you're required to make. i'vemade a study of taxation myself. but i've had to get my knowledge frombooks. you are getting yours from the firing line of experience. isometime wish i had a job like yours. it would teach me a lot.' i meantevery wo