The apostle Paul stands out as one of the most skillful diplomats the world has ever seen, second only to Jesus Christ. He explains his approach to diverse peoples and cultures by stating that he gives no offense either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God. He seeks to please all men in all things, not for his own profit but for the profit of many that they may be saved. Paul maintains peace and stability as much as possible and lives peaceably with all men. He realizes that people will do anything to preserve their self-concepts or self-images and strives to maintain consistency or stability within each individual. Paul makes himself a servant to all that he might win the more, becoming as a Jew to the Jews, as without law to those without law, and as weak to the weak, all without compromising core beliefs such as God's laws and statutes. He distinguishes negotiable marginal beliefs such as choices of music, automobile, food, and clothing from non-negotiable core values. Paul conveys to others that they are understood, identifies areas where the other person may hold a valid or superior position, and finds shared moral qualities such as honesty, integrity, and good will along with shared aspirations to reach mutually acceptable solutions. At the Areopagus he conveys understanding to the Athenians by noting that they are very religious and builds common ground by referencing an altar to the Unknown God. He points out similarities with groups such as the Pharisees on the resurrection and acknowledges cultural debts to both Greeks and Jews without severing ties to cultural roots. Paul esteems others better than himself and concedes lack of expertise in certain areas to promote peace.