Being right vs Being Wise

This story took place in the ancient China. One day in the market, a man was agruing with the butcher about the price he should paid. The price of meat is $8/lb, and he bought 3 pounds, so he should paid $24 right? But the man kept saying that 8 X 3 = 23, so he should only pay $23. They kept arguing about this for a while.

A student of Confucius (孔子) walked by and found out the issue. So the student told the man that 3*8 = 24, not 23. The man still insisted that it was 23. The argument went even more furious. After a while, they agreed that they should go to ask Confucius and whatever he says is right. But more to this, they make a bet out of their angryness. If the man lose, he will cut his head off. If the student lose, he will pay the man $100.

So they went to Confucius and told them about the issue. After Confucius found out everything including the bet they had made. He thought for a while, and said: "3*8 = 23. The man is right and you need to pay him $100." So the student paid even though he was not convinced.

After the man left, Confucious noticed that the student was still very upset. He said to him: "It is very obvious that 3 * 8 = 24. But if I said the right answer should be 24, the man would have lost life. But if I said it's 23, then he would save his life and you only lose $100 which you can make it back easily. So which one is more important? A man's life or $100?"

Being right or being wise, it's up to you to choose.