A defendant in a lawsuit involving large sums of
money was talking to his lawyer. "If I lose this
case, I'll be ruined!"

"It's in the judge's hands now," said the
lawyer.

"Would it help if I sent the judge a box of
cigars?"

"No! The judge is a stickler on ethical behavior.
A stunt like that would prejudice him against you.
He might even hold you in contempt of court."
Within the course of time, the judge rendered a
decision in favor of the defendant. As the
defendant left the courthouse, he said to his
lawyer, "Thanks for the tip about the cigars. It
really worked!"

Confidently the lawyer responded, "I'm sure we
would have lost the case if you'd sent them."
"But I did send them.", replied the man.
"What?" shouted the lawyer?

"I sure did, that's how we won the case... good
thing I remembered to enclose the plaintiff's
business card."