Haruki Murakami. The Murder Of The Commendatore (№ 409959)

- As you well know, the price of things is a relative concept, determined naturally, based on the balance of supply and demand. If I say that I want to buy something from you, and you answer that you do not want to sell, the price will increase.
- I know the market principle. Still, do you really need me to paint your portrait? Can you do without it?
- Yes, you're right: I can do without it. But curiosity lives in me. What will be the portrait like if you write it? And I want to know. For myself. In other words, I myself have set the price for my own curiosity.
- And your curiosity costs a lot of money.
He smiled cheerfully.
- If you are interested in something out of pure curiosity, it only gets stronger. And you have to pay for it.