389. Prepare for Exile

Be prepared to embrace exile. If the political, social or economic climate becomes intolerable, have contingency plans in place to move yourself and your assets out of the juristiction in an orderly fashion, speedily and with a minimum of loss or fuss. Revisit these plans every year and keep them up to date. Using your values and hierarchy of values, establish break points for yourself, at which your decision to move will be made. e.g. if the tax rate goes to 50% or if certain laws are passed that would prevent you from doing what you are legitimately entitled to do. These break points will keep your mind clear on these issues. Be clear and clear and clear.

174. Laws and Religion

The benefits of new laws that a wise man can see but that are not explicable to the reasoning of others can be put over by having recourse to religion.

172. Laws and Oaths

"People are more generally afraid of breaking an oath than a law." -Nicolo Machiavelli.

This was certainly true in the times when Religion ruled everything, but don't rely on it today. People are not concerned so much these days with their honour as with their freedom. Law enforcement is getting tougher and generally people will obey the law when they are compelled to.