A merchant was about to start a new business, but lacking financial strength, he required a business partner.
Within a few days, he encountered a stranger who agreed to become his partner.
The merchant knew very little about this man.
Consequently, he was initially hesitant to take him on as a partner; however, after making a few inquiries, he began to give the idea serious consideration.
A day or two later, the merchant ran into a friend of his—a man of great wisdom.
After exchanging pleasantries, the merchant told his friend about the stranger and sought his advice regarding making him a business partner.
His friend already knew the man in question; he was a highly deceitful individual who would enter into partnerships with people only to betray them later.
Since his friend was a man of wisdom, he felt that one should not speak ill of others.
Thus, he said to the merchant, "He is the kind of person who will easily win your trust."
Upon hearing this, the merchant took the man on as his business partner.
The two worked diligently together for quite some time; however, when the time came to share the profits, the partner absconded with the entire stock of goods.
The merchant was deeply distressed by this turn of events.
He went to meet his friend, recounted the entire story, and expressed his intense anger toward him. In response, his friend said, "I am a scholar of the scriptures; how could I possibly speak ill of anyone?" The merchant retorted, "Bravo, my friend! Your 'wisdom' has utterly ruined me!"