A poor man once found a beautiful stone, he took it to the local trader and was offered a piece of silver, he declined. He then took it to a lord who offered him a piece of gold. He declined. He then took it to the king who offered him a palace, he declined.

The king laughed and asked “why would you a poor man decline such a marvelous offer of wealth and fortune? Are you mad?!” The man replied “because now I know the value of a human soul.” He threw the stone into the fireplace and left as it shattered while the king wept over shards.