There was a man of the State of Song who liked to curry favour with others.

One day, he got a piece of uncarved jade and went to present it to Zi Han, a minister of the State of Song, with the intention to ingratiate himself with the official.

Thereupon, this man said in honeyed words:

"This is a piece of rare jade. I regard it as a treasure suitable for a gentleman's utensil. If it gets into the hands of an old gentleman like you, to be worn by you or put on your dining table, that would be most suitable and fitting. I am an unrefined man, not deserving such a valuable treasure."

Zi Han adamantly refused to accept it.

"You may regard this piece of jade as a treasure," said Zi Han, "but I do not accept other's fawning, nor do I regard this kind of conduct a treasure."

The man of Song felt he had asked for a snub and sneaked away.