star wars - Why would Sith Masters teach apprentices, at all?

We know (from the accidents that happened between 1999-2005) that

The Sith rely on their passion for their strength. They think inward, only about themselves.

and we also know that

Always two there are, no more, no less. A master and an apprentice.

And from the EU, we know that each Sith apprentice will (try to) kill and replace their master at some point, in order to become the one who bundles the entirety of the Sith power (so to say).

Q1: Given these points, why do Sith bother to take up apprentices at all? It doesn't make sense to pass on their knowledge of the dark side, because they only care about themselves, and it would also contradict this philosophy to teach competition that will endanger their power and ultimately their life.

Q2: As a special case of this question in The Empire Strikes Back, Vader tries to turn Luke by saying

Luke, you can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your destiny. Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy as father and son.

(emphasis by me)

Now, the same question rises: If the Emperor has foreseen that Luke can destroy him, why would he want Luke to become a Sith?

Answer

Also, some times Sith masters are deep under cover in another role (ahem, ahem) and having an apprentice allows them to get their bidding done without having to get their hands dirty so to speak.

Also, I imagine that if people fear your apprentice, they will fear you all the more.

What I want to know is, if this is the case, why have only one apprentice?

Comments

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