394. Plan for the Future

Plan for the well-being of your descendents. Plan at least 3 generations ahead. My grandparents and parents planned for my well-being by making sure I received an education that allowed me to make a living. Your responsibility to the future generations is to take what has been passed on to you, improve on it and pass it on to the next crew to take over from us. Keep this journal and add to it the wisdom you acquire personally and preserve the knowledge for your children and grandchildren. Pass on any wealth you gain for them so that they may continue to live in prosperity. Try to ensure that they choose wisely in the spouses they pick because they should avoid divorces. Divorces weaken the wealth that we are working to build. It can be difficult to do this without trying to control the children too closely when they become adults but with wisdom and diplomacy you should be a great influence (for good) on them.

378. Lessons from the Medici

Cosimo de Medici's father advised him to avoid being conspicuous, to exercise subterfuge, to rule without being seen to rule and to seek to rule the tax system.

It is sometimes necessary to ally one's fortunes with powerful but unreliable characters in order to succeed but you must understand also that handling them requires immense diplomatic skill.

Emerge as the richest man in your field, found a dynasty and start a renaissance.

164. Being Nice & Being Polite.

Being nice out of fear doesn't work, ever. Be nice and be polite because that's who you are and only for that reason. A common thing to happen is that people of a lower order of development often mistake your good manners for weakness and then try to take advantage of you. The first line of your defense is to be aware of this phenomenon and be alert for the signs that you are about to be taken advantage of. The second line is to be polite but firm. The third is to state your position bluntly, without grace or favour and be willing to fight for your rights. Very often you will need to let people know that you are not to be trifled with by using such expressions as "Do you think I should have my solicitor present ?" or "I am not sure who's right here perhaps we should call the police don't you think ?" Always refer these matters to the next level up.