or is it?
The Decameron is a wonderful source for stories. One I like in particular is the 3rd tale of the 10th day in which Mithridanes attempts to compete with Nathan in the field of generosity but each time he is generous to somebody he gets told that Nathan's generosity surpasses his by far. So one day Mithridanes sets out to meet his opponent in disguise and since there is no other way to win, to kill him. Nathan sees through this and he arranges for them to meet in solitude and addressing Mithridanes he tells him that he might take his, Nathan's, life now, for he knows his designs and since everybody gets what he desires Nathan will also please this special desire. Realising that there is no way to excel Nathan's generosity, Mithridanes rather befriends Nathan.
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