“Most amazing economic ants on earth”

MY take-away from Robert Kuok, A Memoir is the business magnate’s explicit pronouncement that Chinese are “the most amazing economic ants on earth.”

I take that as a superlative compliment to a culturally diligent, ambitious, thrifty, practical lot of human beings, wherever and in whatever circumstances they may be in.

The ancient King Solomon, in his wisdom, counselled: “Go to the ant, you sluggard, consider its ways and be wise. It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”

“Economic ants”! What an analogy!

Ants aren’t ever intimidated by the size of their workload, no matter how heavy the odds stacked up against them.

They are the epitome of hard work and teamwork, highly organised, conscientiously saving for the rainy day and always getting the job done.

Sure, opinions on almost anything differ. But, after all, attitudes and perceptions are formed based on one’s background, upbringing, education, environment, interactions and, above all, real life experiences.

The more profound these are, the stronger and the more indelible they become.

And Robert Kuok has such a vast and varied lifetime of experiences to draw from that very few, indeed, can match.

The direct narrative, mostly first-person, easily transitioning from common to complex, interesting to intriguing matters, in my view, makes engaging and enlightening reading.

I recommend it to the young and to aspiring professionals and leaders in all walks of life.