# What is two plus two?

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Joke
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-joke-politician-two-plus-two
- Themes: expectations, anger, humour, politics
- Life situations: anger at politics, disappointment in leaders

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Three candidates for preselection in a safe Australian seat are asked the same question: what is 2 + 2? The first uses a calculator: 4. The second says 4 at once. The third: '2 + 2 is whatever you tell me it is, boss.' He gets the job.

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

A preselection for a safe seat somewhere in Australia. And there were three candidates, once they interviewed everybody, the last three candidates. And so the people who are going to select who's going to stand for the election in this seat. They called in the candidates, one after the other. The first one, who came in, they said: We're gone ask each one of you the same question, a very simple question. Please tell us the answer. The question is: What is 2 + 2? And the first candidate got out his calculator. Punched in the instructions and he said 4. Very good. Don't call us, we will call you. And they called in the second candidate. Same question to keep it fair. What is 2 + 2 ? And straight away he said 4. Very good. Don't call us, we will call you. They asked the third candidate. What is 2 + 2 ? And this candidate said: 2 + 2 is whatever you tell me it is, boss. You got the job. [laughter]

## Teaching point

That's what politicians are like — so lower your expectations instead of getting angry.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

Asked what two plus two is, the winning candidate says it's whatever the boss wants. Ajahn Brahm's point isn't cynicism. We get angry at politicians, partners, red lights and losses because we expect what they can't give. Bring your expectations closer to what life can actually provide, and anger has much less to feed on.

## Source

- [On the Other Side of Anger | by Ajahn Brahm | 31-05-2013](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7fm_Es5THY) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 13:28 to 14:46: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7fm_Es5THY&t=808s

Other tellings of this story:

- ['Out of Control' | by Ajahn Brahm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEnU5BBr_7Y) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 15:13 to 16:09: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEnU5BBr_7Y&t=913s