I’m reading the best book right now — A Little History of The World by E. H. Gombrich. It really is the best little book on history that I can ever remember reading. It’s under 300 pages and it starts with the Neanderthals and spans all the way to the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989. Wow. It’s giving me an amazing perspective on how everything in the world fits together from human beings to religion to politics. Here’s a nice little quote from page 205.
King Louis XIV of France to his grandson:
“Never favour those who flatter you most, but hold rather to those who risk your displeasure for your own good. Never neglect business for pleasure, organise your life so that there is time in it for relaxation and entertainment. Give the business of government your full attention. Inform yourself as much as you can before taking any decision. Make every effort to get to know men of distinction, so that you may call on them when you need them. Be courteous to all, speak hurtfully to no man.”
