A merchant traveled a bustling road each day, carrying gold in his cart. One evening, a thief slipped a single coin from the pile. The merchant noticed but said nothing, thinking, "It’s only one coin, and I have plenty." The next night, the thief took two, then three the night after. Each time, the merchant grumbled but kept silent, unwilling to confront the shadow in the dark. By month’s end, the cart was empty, and the thief rode off with a fortune.

Evil wins when good hesitates.