At the last Municipal Council, the mayor of Nice revealed the so-called secret regarding the name of the mysterious benefactor who took charge of “facilitating” the purchase and transportation of the shipment of medical articles and materials from China to Nice in April.
The matter had been the talk of the town due to Christian Estrosi’s refusal to reveal the name, at the request of the interested party who preferred to remain anonymous and not seek publicity for his generous gesture.
Now it is known to be the Russian oligarch Alexei Viktorovich Kouzmichev.
Christian Estrosi explained in detail the origin and execution of the operation: “It turns out that in life, we also have personal relationships. It so happens that the pediatrician caring for my youngest child when she travels to Paris with my wife is Dr. Michel Robin. Being a close friend of my wife, he told me: ‘I am the doctor of Mr. and Mrs. Kouzmichev when they reside in France.’ These individuals, who had a health issue with their daughter in the summer of 2019, which was taken care of by the health services in Nice, during the COVID-19 crisis, wished to make a significant donation to the city of Nice, beneficial for the healthcare staff of the city as a whole. ‘Do you have a project to propose to them so they can provide this support?’”
A timely question since the plane supposed to transport the 26 tons of ordered medical supplies was stuck on the tarmac of the Guangzhou Baiyun Airport in China. The couple then offered to cover the transportation of all the material.
While official comments spoke of “a beautiful story,” off-the-record murmurs after the session leaned more towards “what a story.”
In this uncertainty, a short story attributed (incorrectly, moreover) to Socrates, who is only the nominal protagonist, might facilitate understanding…
“One day, Socrates was approached by a man in great agitation who told him: Listen Socrates, I have something important to tell you about your friend.
Wait a moment – interrupted the wise man – Have you passed what you want to tell me through the three filters?
Three? asked the other, surprised.
Yes, my dear, let’s see if what you want to tell me passes through the three filters. The first is that of truth: are you convinced that everything you want to tell me is true?
In fact, no, I only heard it from others.
But then did you at least pass it through the second filter, that of goodness? Even if what you want to say is not entirely true, is it at least something good?
The man replied hesitantly: I must admit, no. Rather the opposite…
And have you thought about the third one? Have you asked yourself what is the use of telling me these things about my friend? Is it good?
Well, not really…
You see – continued the wise man – if what you want to tell me is neither true, nor good, nor useful, then I prefer not to know it and I advise you to forget it.”
