The Central Problem of Philosophy Camus starts The Myth of Sisyphus by stating that the central problem of philosophy is to figure out whether life is worth living, everything else is details. People don’t die in the name of the ontological problem. What gives life meaning is the irrational illusions. These same ideas that, when … Read more
Law 29: Plan all the Way to the End “Look to the end, no matter what it is you are considering. Often enough, God gives a man a glimpse of happiness, and then utterly ruins him.” – The Histories, Herodotus When planning, take everything into account. Since the ending is all that matters, you should … Read more
Law 28: Enter Action with Boldness Don’t do anything halfheartedly. Being doubtful and hesitant will inevitably sabotage your project. Be audacious, everyone admires the bold, and no one cares for the timid. When you act timidly, those that are bolder will encircle you. And when you lack confidence, you will be unable to overcome obstacles … Read more
Law 27: Play on People’s Need to Believe to Create a Cult-like Following “To become the founder of a new religion one must be psychologically infallible in one’s knowledge of a certain average type of souls who have not yet recognized that they belong together.” – Nietzsche People need to believe in something. By offering … Read more
An Actor’s Life for Me All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts – William Shakespeare In Disney’s Pinocchio, the song “An actor’s life for me” is sung by the fox, luring Pinocchio into … Read more
Law 25: Re-create Yourself Many people accept the default roles society imposes on them, but this is unwise. You should craft a new identity – either according to circumstance, or according to your own personal need. Certain situations will call for you to act differently, and you should be creative and flexible enough to do … Read more
Law 23: Concentrate Your Forces You have a finite amount of energy, conserve them by concentrating them at their strongest point. A single rich mine that is deep is more valuable to you than multiple shallow mines. The Goose and the Horse A goose who was plucking grass upon a common thought herself affronted by … Read more
Law 20: Do Not Commit to Anyone Do not commit yourself to anybody or anything, for that is to be a slave, a slave to every man…. Above all, keep yourself free of commitments and obligations—they are the device of another to get you into his power…. – Baltasar Gracián Instead of committing to someone, … Read more
Law 17: Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability Unpredictability is a potent weapon you can use to rattle your opponents. Human beings are creatures of habit and expect to see patterns of behavior in others. If you manage to disrupt your patterns constantly, then you will intimidate your opponents and keep … Read more
A man said to a Dervish: “Why do I not see you more often?” The Dervish replied, “Because the words ‘Why have you not been to see me?’ are sweeter to my ear than the words ‘Why have you come again?”’ – Mulla jami, quoted in ldries Shah’s Caravan of Dreams, 1968 The Assyrians … Read more