Be Self-Reliant
“Never be slow in replenishing your supplies. You’ll
always bee on better terms with your allies if you can secure your own
provisions…Give them all they need and your troops will follow you to the end
of the earth.”
Be Generous
“Success always calls for greater generosity–though most
people, lost in the darkness of their own egos, treat it as an occasion for
greater greed. Collecting boot [is] not an end itself, but only a means for
building [an] empire. Riches would be of little use to us now–except as a means
of winning new friends.”
Be Brief
“Brevity is the soul of command. Too much talking
suggests desperation on the part of the leader. Speak shortly, decisively and
to the point–and couch your desires in such natural logic that no one can raise
objections. Then move on.”
Be a Force for Good
“Whenever you can, act as a liberator. Freedom, dignity,
wealth–these three together constitute the greatest happiness of humanity. If
you bequeath all three to your people, their love for you will never die.”
Be in Control
[After punishing some renegade commanders] “Here again, I
would demonstrate the truth that, in my army, discipline always brings
rewards.”
Be Fun
“When I became rich, I realized that no kindness between
man and man comes more naturally than sharing food and drink, especially food
and drink of the ambrosial excellence that I could now provide. Accordingly, I
arranged that my table be spread everyday for many invitees, all of whom would
dine on the same excellent food as myself. After my guests and I were finished,
I would send out any extra food to my absent friends, in token of my esteem.”
Be Loyal
[When asked how he planned to dress for a celebration]
“If I can only do well by my friends, I’ll look glorious enough in whatever
clothes I wear.”
Be an Example
“In my experience, men who respond to good fortune with
modesty and kindness are harder to find than those who face adversity with
courage.”
Be Courteous and Kind
“There is a deep–and usually frustrated–desire in the
heart of everyone to act with benevolence rather than selfishness, and one fine
instance of generosity can inspire dozens more. Thus I established a stately
court where all my friends showed respect to each other and cultivated courtesy
until it bloomed into perfect harmony.”
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