Summary:

Among the many underlinings, this one was one of the highlights.

I started the 48 laws of power last week. Until now I can only say it is awesome. Would definitely recommend anyone to read that first before starting the 33 strategies of war.

Body:

The problem faced by those of us who live in societies of abundance is that we lose a sense of limit. We are carefully shielded from death and can pass months, even years, without contemplating it. We imagine endless time at our disposal and slowly drift further from reality; we imagine endless energy to draw on, thinking we can get what we want simply by trying harder.

We start to see everything as limitless - the goodwill of friends, the possibility of wealth and fame. A few more classes and books and we can extend our talents and skills to the point where we become different people. Technology can make anything achievable.

Abundance makes us rich in dreams, for in dreams there are no limits. But it makes us poor in reality. It makes us soft and decadent, bored with what we have and in need of constant shocks to remind us that we are alive.

Dreaming first of what you wanted then trying to find the means to reach it is a recipe for exhaustion, waste, and defeat.

In life you must be a warrior, and war required realism. While others may find beauty in endless dreams, warriors find it in reality, in awareness of limits, in making the most of what they have.

Knowing your limits will expand your limits; getting the most out of what you have will let you have more.

Lessons learned:

Be realistic and stay off of social media. People only post highlights of their lives there, how could you ever feel fulfilled when everything you see is the glamor, fabulous life other people lead, while you grind your ass off day after day?