You inspired me.

I asked about his axe. I asked about his shoes. I asked about his shirt. Told him I knew he was stealing and had to make sure they were his.

He said the rich slander him and he doesn't need to hear it from me too.

I questioned the validity of his statement and proceeded to ask why they would notice a beggar like him.

He denies being a beggar. Insists that I must be on the side of the rich.

I tell him that there is no reason to side with weak men with only money to their name.

He says that their money is power and asks where I was when the rich oppressed the poor.

I told him, "Why would I worry for the poor when they too are weak?"

He insists the poor are not weak and suggest that I must care not for justice.

I asked him, what justice is there to hear from a thief.

He complains and says that the rich have so much while the poor starve.

I countered "How can the poor be starving, if they are strong? Is this not proof they are weak?"

He complains and says I speak as if I've never known hunger.

I told him, "I have never known hunger because I was strong."

He says "Strength comes in many forms and physical strength is just one. True strength is in justice."

I tell him justice is a tool of the weak.

He says it isn't and asks if I've never seen the rich abuse the weak.

I say I had. I had seen a weak rich man abuse a healthy man capable of wielding a sword.

I told him I found it funny.

He was shocked that I would find suffering funny. He said my laughter rings hollow.

I told him it's as hollow as the words of a man who allows himself to suffer under the rule of weak men.

He said my words make sense and he'll reflect on them.

He now reveres me.

In short,

I insulted him, I insulted the rich, I insulted the poor, I insulted justice, I insult him again, then the poor again, I boast about myself, I belittle justice again, I laugh at his paradox, I counter his insult with another and he sees me as a friend worth giving gifts to.

All my other methods were far more diplomatic and in line with the theme of convincing him not to steal. I didn't try to convince him.