A Treasury of Deception – Michael Farquhar
Nostradamus The Prince of Humbugs Oscar Hartzell Elena’s Resume Kennedy’s Dictum Diagnosis Deception Faking Insanity
In Defense of Deception
Two men on a plane were talking. One man looks at the other, after being told about the problems of capitalism.. “Your criticism of capitalism is that it is 1) deceitful 2) hides truth. 1) Deceptive? Yeah, so is everything, including you. Self deception is necessary for survival, even for basic functioning. Herbert Fingarette did […]
Making Use of Knowledge
As the biggest library if it is in disorder is not as useful as a small but well-arranged one, so you may accumulate a vast amount of knowledge but it will be of far less value to you than a much smaller amount. if you have not thought it over for yourself; because only through […]
Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker
In The 48 Laws of Power, Greene tells us to be careful about the impression we give others of ourselves. Most people, because they are vain, insecure, and needy, will want to prove to others that they are very clever. But this is a mistake. When people think you are smart, they will have their […]
What If? (Liar’s Poker)
In Liar’s Poker, Michael Lewis recalls his experience while working for Solomon Brothers. An interesting dialogue that he details is one that took place between him (Michael) and Alexander (his colleague). Alexander taught Michael an important life lesson – to always ask: what if? When the Chernobyl disaster hit, for example, Alexander reasoned to Michael […]
The Ends Justify The Means
“The ends justify the means” is a phrase that is originally attributed to Ovid. But Machiavelli did hint that the ends excused the means. The ultimate message of Machiavelli, that can be applied to any time in history, is that reality is more important than illusion. The thoughts that we have about how one must […]
ONEitis (The Rational Male)
ONEitis is insecurity run amok while a person is single, and potentially paralyzing when coupled with the object of that ONEitis in an LTR. The same neurotic desperation that drives a person to settle for their ONE whether healthy or unhealthy is the same insecurity that paralyzes them from abandoning a damaging relationship – This […]
The Rake (The Art of Seduction)
A woman never quite feels desired and appreciated enough. She wants attention, but a man is too often distracted and unresponsive. The Rake is a great female fantasy figure—when he desires a woman, brief though that moment may be, he will go to the ends of the earth for her. He may be disloyal, dishonest, […]
The Siren (The Art of Seduction)
A man is often secretly oppressed by the role he has to play—by always having to be responsible, in control, and rational. The Siren is the ultimate male fantasy figure because she offers a total release from the limitations of his life. In her presence, which is always heightened and sexually charged, the male feels […]
Make use of Absence
Make use of Absence to make yourself more esteemed or valued. If the accustomed presence diminishes fame, absence augments it. One that is regarded as a lion in his absence may be laughed at when present as the ridiculous result of the parturition of the mountains. Talents get soiled by use, for it is easier […]
