“congratulations,” said the guru.
the tortoise said, “all they did was confirm their email subscription to your koans.”
“so?” asked the guru.
“so, it is the smallest possible accomplishment they ever could have achieved. it’s not worth a congratulations.”
“i want them to feel good about their decisions.”
“flattery won’t help. people think they like flattery, but it really makes them distrust the flatterer.”
“then what do i say?”
the tortoise replied, “why say anything at all?”