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.

109. Learning and Education Vs School

Leslie Hart found that "Final exams are final indeed." The authority-pleasing, question-suppressing, rule-following approach to education may have served to provide society with assembly-line workers and bureaucrats but it does not do much to prepare us for a new renaissance. Whatever you do, learn to THINK for yourself !