The king who is situated anywhere immediately on the circumference of the conqueror's territory is termed the enemy.
The king who is likewise situated close to the enemy, but separated from the conqueror only by the enemy, is termed the friend (of the conqueror).
— Kautilya, Arthasastra 4th Century BC
Wandering Into Wisdom
A True Friend
You can always tell when someone is a true friend because they sympathize and give support rather than minimize and give advice.
Good Enough
- Voltaire: “The best is the enemy of the good.”
- Confucius: "Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without."
- Shakespeare: “Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.”
Courage to Continue
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts."
- Winston Churchill
- Winston Churchill
The Price of Success
I would gladly give all my millions for just one lasting marital success.
- JP Getty (married and divorced five times)
- JP Getty (married and divorced five times)
Joke: Three Envelopes
A fellow had just been hired as the new CEO of a large corporation. The current CEO was stepping down and met with the new hire privately in his office, where he handed him three numbered envelopes.
“Open these if you run up against a problem you don’t think you can solve,” the first CEO said.
Things went along pretty smoothly for the first six month, but then sales took a downturn and the new CEO began catching a lot of heat. He went to his drawer and took out the first envelope. The message read, “Blame your predecessor.”
The new CEO called a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the previous CEO. Sales began to pick up and the problem was soon behind him.
About a year later, the company was again experiencing a slight dip in sales, combined with serious product malfunctions. Having learned from his previous experience, the CEO opened the second envelope. The message read, “Reorganize.” This he did, and the company quickly rebounded.
After several consecutive profitable quarters, the company once again fell on hard times. The CEO went to his office, closed the door and opened the third envelope.
The message said, “Prepare three envelopes.”
“Open these if you run up against a problem you don’t think you can solve,” the first CEO said.
Things went along pretty smoothly for the first six month, but then sales took a downturn and the new CEO began catching a lot of heat. He went to his drawer and took out the first envelope. The message read, “Blame your predecessor.”
The new CEO called a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the previous CEO. Sales began to pick up and the problem was soon behind him.
About a year later, the company was again experiencing a slight dip in sales, combined with serious product malfunctions. Having learned from his previous experience, the CEO opened the second envelope. The message read, “Reorganize.” This he did, and the company quickly rebounded.
After several consecutive profitable quarters, the company once again fell on hard times. The CEO went to his office, closed the door and opened the third envelope.
The message said, “Prepare three envelopes.”
Don't Over React
It is unwise to pour gasoline over yourself and light a match because you are cold.
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