the strongest sense
“The truth is generally seen, rarely heard.” - Gracian
start with the end in mind
“Experience shows that, if one foresees from far away the designs to be undertaken, one can act with speed when the moment comes to execute them.“ - Cardinal Richelieu
unchecked capitalism
“They build fortunes poisoning their offspring
And hand out prizes when someone patents a cure.” — Father John Misty (lyrics from his song Pure Comedy)
habit
“Habit is a mighty ally….The habit of fear and anger, or the habit of self-composure and courage.” - Steven Pressfield (Gates of Fire)
profit from experience
Writers who have delved into human nature, ancient masters of strategy, historians of human stupidity and folly, kings and queens who have learned the hard way how to handle the burdens of power--their knowledge is gathering dust, waiting for you to come and stand on their shoulders. Their wit can be your wit, their skill can be your skill, and they will never come around to tell people how unoriginal you really are. You can slog through life, making endless mistakes, wasting time and energy trying to do things from your own experience. Or you can use the armies of the past. As Bismarck once said, "Fools say that they learn by experience. I prefer to profit by others' experience." - Robert Greene
knowledge
“There is much to be known, life is short, and life is not life without knowledge. It is therefore an excellent device to acquire knowledge from everybody. Thus, by the sweat of another's brow, you win the reputation of being an oracle.” Baltasar Gracián
plans
"Plans are worthless, but planning is everything." — Dwight D. Eisenhower
necessary
“It is necessary to be very strong against something.” Ernest Hemingway
control
“It doesn’t matter what other people do or say or think, it only matters what you do.” - Marcus Aurelius
worry
"You are a philosopher, Mademoiselle."
"That implies a detached attitude. I think my attitude is more selfish. I have learned to save myself useless emotion.” Agatha Christie (Murder on the Orient Express)
fear
“To give into fear is to deny the talents and skills that got you where you are in the first place. It’s to deprive yourself of the agency you were given at birth.” - Ryan Holiday
time
“We’re tight fisted with property and money, yet think too little of wasting time, the one thing about which we should all be the toughest misers.” -Seneca
pride
“People in their right minds never take pride in their talents.” Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)
“The ‘C’ students run the world.” - Harry Truman
good
“Oh, the mission got canceled? Good… We can focus on another one.
Didn’t get the new high-speed gear we wanted? Good… We can keep it simple.
Didn’t get promoted? Good… More time to get better.
Didn’t get funded? Good… We own more of the company.
Didn’t get the job you wanted? Good… Go out, gain more experience, and build a better resume.
Got injured? Good… Needed a break from training.
Got tapped out? Good… It’s better to tap out in training than tap out on the street.
Got beat? Good… We learned.
Unexpected problems? Good… We have to figure out solutions.” - Jocko Willink
a life
“Like so many Americans, she was trying to construct a life that made sense from things she found in gift shops.” Kurt Vonnegut (Slaughterhouse Five)
efficiency
“Unless structure follows strategy, inefficiency results.” - Alfred D. Chandler
change
“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
history
“That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach.” - Aldous Huxley