Moral Maze – 6

I earn a precarious living, making new editions of Beethoven, earning royalties on sales. When people call to ask about a problem in a Beethoven work, I say, "I assume⁺ that you have read my commentary in my edition. Is anything unclear?" They mumble about why they cannot, or will not, buy a new edition. I weaken and help them; but⁺⁺ later, I wish I’d been more ruthless. Should I be?

Or + I say: "I assume
or ++them, but

Language notes

precarious – a) uncertain, dependent on chance; b) not held securely, likely to fall
royalties – sums of money paid to authors, or composers for each copy of their work sold or performed
ruthless adj – without thinking or caring about the pain caused or consequences to others; cruel

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