Nikola Tesla Books
were obliged to prove in advance that they had excellently passed the prescribed exams. The assistance lasted for a total of three years.
As Tesla often found himself without money, he was forced to borrow. However, he fell into the trap of a usurer who charged him a high interest rate, indebting him much more than he actually borrowed.
Tesla always diligently repaid his debts and paid the interest as demanded by the usurer. However, he deeply hated and despised him for this usury and sought a way to somehow get revenge.
Exams were mere childâs play for Tesla. At the end of the third year, he had to take one final exam in mathematics to receive the last installment of his scholarship. With that money, he was supposed to repay the debt and interest to this usurer. At that moment, Tesla decided not to take the final exam. He wanted to intimidate the usurer to get back at him. The plan was entirely successful. The usurer was genuinely frightened that he might lose the money and good interest he expected from Teslaâs scholarship. He asked Tesla, âWhatâs with the exam and why arenât you taking it?â Tesla, expecting this, mockingly replied, âWhy bother with the exam when Iâve already received my last scholarship installment from you. If you need money, go and take the math exam in my place. Youâre an excellent accountant; no one can calculate such high interests as you.â
In this way, Tesla cleverly outwitted and scared the greedy usurer, who was confident that Tesla wouldnât actually take the exam, and thus, his money and interest were lost. Only then
