Felix Dennis is the founder of Computer Shopper Magazine, Maxim, and dozens of other publications. A very wealthy man, worth half a billion or so. Some great gems from his book “How To Get Rich”:

“Too many people want to make a blockbuster movie and live in Beverly Hills. Not enough people want to dig holes.”

On borrowed money:

“What are banks and venture capitalists but usurers who offer you an umbrella when the sun is shining and snatch it away the instant a few rain clouds appear?”

Risk and reward:

“An honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay is not risk taking.”

Personal vs. Corporate Finances:

“Never personally underwrite business loans for your company unless you absolutely, positively are forced to.”

Negotiating:

“Few of us are any good at detailed negotiations. That includes your opponent, by the way. Most negotiations are unnecessary. Don’t enter into them. Remember that ‘the fortress that parleys is already half taken.’ Save serious negotiations for serious occasions.”

Chasing money:

“If you chase money desperately in the earnest belief that you can never be happy without it and seriously think that the chase is a meaningful occupation, I doubt very much you will succeed. You have to be fiercely determined, true. But an appreciation of the absurdity of the chase helps enormously.”

Ownership:

“I once made a half a million by selling a magazine I had not even published yet to a rival. Half a million pounds for a day’s work. And why? Why? Why? Because I owned it. I owned it all.”

Fear:

“Try for just a single day, a whole day when you refuse to acknowledge fear of failure, fear of making yourself look like an idiot, fear of losing your lover, fear of losing your job, fear of your boss, fear of anything and of any kind. Fear will creep back, usually at three in the morning.

“Laugh at it and tell it to take a hike. Smash it in the teeth. Spit on it. Put your arms round it and make nicey-nicey. Then slip a sharp blade into its stinking throat just as you’re French-kissing it.”

Carpe Diem – Seize the Day

Perry Marshall