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On basic things that you should study and know

This is an ample topic, but by knowing these things, even if superficially, you will be better armed to cope with life.

Study some thermodynamics, mostly because just about everything depends on thermodynamics. Remember that all transfer occurs due to a concentration difference - this is the key to understanding. Remember that Entropy means disorder and that all processes in life increase entropy. This in itself, aside from being overwhelming in significance, is profoundly philosophical.

Learn economics, accounting, mathematics, cooking, organic chemistry, circuit analysis and typing. The cream of the cake is to take as much humanities as you can (art, Greek mythology, music etc.) Know some basic and emergency medicine. If you have the will, learn at least three languages. I recommend English, Spanish and German. As my mother used to say "The more tongues you speak the more people you are."

Some medicine always helps to know. I've learned how to give shots and it has been really useful. There are many medicines out there and you should learn when to take them and for what. These are some of the major medicines you should know how to use: Anti-inflammatories, Steroids, Analgesics, Blood pressure medicines, Rehydration salts, Antidepressants etc.

Remember that nothing is free and that the only truly philanthropists in your life are your father and mother. When you must choose between them, choose your mother. She is permanently bonded to you because she made you and is the ultimate trustable entity.

Steer away from people who offer things which are unbelievable because they probably are. Be most careful of the "poor man" who offers you the shirt off his back. Everyone has a hidden agenda in every situation. Be keen to find out those agendas and you will be much safer.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." Einstein

The Five Virtues

Se eye ndzeye pa enum yi a, na eye barima (Gather the five virtues, then you are a man).
-Fante tribal proverb

Enyimanyam (Dignity)
Awerehyemu (Confidence)
Akokodur (Courage)
humbobor (Compassion)
Gyedzi (Faith)

Good Manners

Learn good manners and remember to always make a good first impression. Wear your hear short and your clothes always neat. Remember that it is better to over-dress than to under-dress for a given occasion. Never use foul language. Shut up and listen. Always pay attention to the oldest person in a group. This is where you can learn the most. Never be conceited or think that you know it all because you really don't. Know when to stop dwelling on a theme. Know when to stop drinking. Sometimes it has happened to me that I offended someone. It's OK when that happens as long as you later recapacitate and go ask for forgiveness. Of course it is better not to offend in the first place, but we are human after all, and no one is free from making mistakes now and then. Always try and keep your mouth shut. I was never too good at this. It's better to listen that to be heard, but don't shut your mouth when you can contribute. Just know when to stop.

"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." Falukner

Here is a good quote on why not to lie form my friend Dan Hutchinson:

"as a child my grandfather used to tell me "if you don't lie you don't have to remember what you've said"; in other words, "if I said it it must have been the truth (even if I don't remember saying it)". Hence I have always made it a practice to tell the truth and sometimes it's been painful, but I've never regreted it! I like and use the phrase frequently that my grandfather used, and have taught the same to all of my kids."

Lending Money, Credit, and Collateral

“El dinero no trae la felicidad

pero cuando se va, se la lleva.”

If you want to loose friends then lend money. Someone you lent money to will always locate himself on a lesser plane due to that loan, and since no loans are ever repaid that person will try to loose contact with you. Also, you will try to evade that person so you don't have to lend more money, and the whole thing becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. If you cannot say no then make it a gift, and for less than the amount asked for. Then, you don't expect something in return from the loaner, and if you by chance get it back, it will prove a pleasant surprise.

Another bad mistake in life is to get a loan or give credit. Credit imposes lender profits on an already bad situation. Most of the time the money cannot be repaid and both people loose. If a person asks for credit its because he doesn't have money. The interest credit entails imposes even a harder burden on the person who doesn't have money to begin with, and the situation is worse. Tell the person that instead you'll accept lay-away. He gives you money which you accumulate for him until the total is enough to purchase and then you give him the goods. Also, don't accept titles and other assets for collateral, because converting them into money will be a headache and also result in you looking like the bad guy when you try to collect. Don't even take dated checks as collateral because then you will have to pay the attorney fees to collect.

On Money

This of course depends on if you have it or not, but no advice I can give you is advice you will follow. Money is a drug, and it is the most powerful drug. I cannot say I ever dominated this subject. Just remember that money is power and that it demands the greatest respect. Everyone’s goal in life will be to separate you from your money, so never appear or never let anyone know just how much you have. Never sign anything without reading it, and if you don't understand it write the following sentence under your signature: "Subject to approval by my lawyer." If you are rich, remember that it means you will have more problems.

"The larger your roof is, the more snow you have to shovel off."

Abbas Mohseni

Learn how to say NO! Make saving your money a priority. No matter how much you earn, if you spend it you will eventually loose it all.

My friend Ramon Elorz (industrias Venado) said to me in the Admirals Club Lounge in Miami Airport, late one night:

"Donde se acaban los apetitos empieza la sabiduria."
("Where appetites end begins wisdom")

Its really hard for me to make a good statement here because I was born rich and never had to worry. Thus it has been easy for me to be generous. I have been very generous to people. Maybe even to the point of being stupid.

To Make A Million Dollars

My theory is that people make money by taking it from others. Maximizing your input is the key to making money. There is a saying that goes:

"Buy low, sell high, collect early, and pay late."

This is the attitude to take.

"$Have=$Had+$Making-$Using"

To make $Have increase, the only thing one can do is raise $Making and reduce $Using. The easiest of these to apply is to reduce $Using. This boils down to not spending so much money.

The best way not to spend money is to remove yourself from places that require you to spend it. Going to the U.S. is a prompt for spending money. Going out on weekends is also a prompt. Use your imagination and you cant miss seeing the ways you can avoid spending money.