Quote of the Day: Baltasar Gracian on Acting Boldly

"Always set to work without misgivings on the score of imprudence.

Fear of failure in the mind of a performer is, for an onlooker, already evidence of failure...

Actions are dangerous when there is doubt as to their wisdom; it would be safer to do nothing."

BALTHASAR GRACIAN, 1601-1658

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Lee Kwan Yew: On Maintaining a Strong Economy and Defence

Without a strong economy, there can be no strong defence. Without a strong defence, there will be no Singapore. It will become a satellite cowed and intimidated by its neighbours. To maintain a strong economy and a strong defence all on a narrow base of a small island with over four million people, the government must be led by the ablest, most dedicated and toughest. The task will become more complex as a more educated and confident electorate believe that Singapore has created a sturdy base and need not be as vulnerable as before. What will never change is that only the best can lead and secure such a Singapore. We need a sturdy, strong and capable SAF, not only to defend Singapore but return blow for blow when necessary. If we do not have this strong SAF, we are vulnerable to all kinds of pressure, from both Malaysia and Indonesia. To have such an SAF, we need a robust economy that is not easily put off-course by external shocks. The ec...

Word of the Day: Countenance

1a : look, expression … a countenance which expressed both good humor and intelligence …— Sir Walter Scott b : mental composure … startled, and also somewhat out of countenance.— Arnold Bennett c : calm expression He managed to keep his countenance through the ordeal. 2 : face, visage especially : the face as an indication of mood, emotion, or character The photograph showed his somber countenance. 3 : bearing or expression that offers approval or sanction : moral support … her countenance of their unsafe amusements …— Jane Austen

Warren Buffet: On Protecting Reputation, Ethics and Cleaning up Spills Promptly

The priority is that all of us continue to zealously guard Berkshire's reputation. We can't be perfect but we can try to be. As i've said in these memos for more than 25 years: "We can afford to lose money - even a lot of money. But we can't afford to lose reputation - even a shred of reputation." We must continue to measure every act against not only what is legal but also what we would be happy to have written about on the front page of a national newspaper in an article written by an unfriendly but intelligent reporter. Sometimes your associates will say "Everybody else is doing it." It is totally unacceptable when evaluating a moral decision. Whenever somebody offers that phrase as a rationale, in effect they are saying that they can't come up with a *good* reason. If anyone gives this explanation, tell them to try using it with a reporter or a judge and see how far it gets them. If you see anything whose propriety or legality causes you...

The Wealth of Actions

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