The complexity of the world is almost beyond comprehension. This means unpredictability, which explains why rigid discipline and plans often fail. The right approach is to treat attention as scarce capital, listen to intuitions, and practice adaptive minimalism with loose constraints.
"By going out of your mind you come to your senses." - Alan Watts
Nothing weighs heavier on the journey than carrying the failures of others disguised as friendships. Ambition will always sound like arrogance to the ears of those who have conquered nothing but excuses and defeats.
Just like the ancient Italians, treat those who show you courtesy and respect ten times better, and those who treat you with arrogance, intimidation, or offense a hundred times worse. People treat us only in the way we allow ourselves to be treated. In business, respect is worth more than any persuasion. Cunning may bring profit, but courtesy builds lasting bonds. Profit without honor is not truly an advantage.
Choosing the right allies is what defines victory in war. In life, learn to completely distance yourself from those who call themselves friends but are actually envious, overly critical, sycophantic, lazy, dishonorable, or untrustworthy—and most importantly, from those who have never achieved anything in life.
Your lack of commitment and willingness to give up are an insult to those who fought before you so that you could have the opportunity to be where you are.
If the success of your plans depends on someone else's help, believe this: you have already failed.
You should not only seek the life you desire but also be prepared to battle in the life you encounter.
Never be ashamed of being ambitious and of knowing the cruel reality of the world. The weak never conquer anything. If you are naïve, harmless, and ignorant, the world will devour you alive.
There are moments to be prudent. There are occasions to be ambitious. Fortune favors the bold, but greed devours the reckless.
