Worth and Value.

I was speaking with a warrior I know, and the worth of slaves came up. He asked what I thought a slave is worth, and my answer was "blood." This was not a challenge, it was simply idle conversation between two guys having a beer.

He asked why I thought that, and I told him it was because he had spoken of "worth." Our conversation progressed and we both agreed that "worth", is not "value."  

We had another beer, and by means of further conversation we mutually agreed that both "value" and "worth" can be defined and quantified very simply. Value is what a person will accept to part with a thing willingly; while worth is what that person is willing to part with before a thing can be taken from them.

My own slave has a high market value; she is a natural exotic, a bronze skinned Panther. She wasn't born into her slavery, and she did not submit; it was forced upon her by my own hand.

She was wild and free, she is highly skilled and very dangerous. I went into the Northern Forest to hunt her, and as you see; I have her. I captured her, I collared her; I branded her ass and packed her out, kicking and screaming, lashed over the top of my hunting sled. 

He and I agreed that on the auction block she would be highly valued; and eagerly sought. We began to speak of her worth, and here again we agreed that a slave is worth nothing; and this makes them worth everything.

He asked why I agreed with this, and my sincerity was genuine as I explained.

"I have come to realize that while I may curse my slave and kick her from beneath my feet simply because she has annoyed me, the rich colors of wild meadow flowers are unseen to me unless I view them woven among her dark tresses.

For this reason, I say her value to me is the same as the value of the sharpness along the length of a blade; and her worth to me is of that blade being driven through my still beating heart." 

He nodded. We finished our beers and rose to our feet; we struck our chests, we clasped forearms, and went our separate ways wishing each other well.