STREET DOGS

In practice it is the negative that’s used by the pros, those selected by evolution: chess grandmasters usually win by not losing; people become rich by not going bust; religions are mostly about interdicts, about what to avoid … I would add, that a considerable jump in my personal health has been achieved by removing offensive irritants: the morning newspapers, the boss, the daily commute, air-conditioning, television, e-mails from documentary filmmakers, economic forecasts, news about the stock market, gym “strength training” machines, and many more

… If true wealth consists in worriless sleeping, clear conscience, reciprocal gratitude, absence of envy, good appetite, muscle strength, physical energy, frequent laughs, no meals alone, no gym class, some physical labour (or hobby), good bowel movements, no meeting rooms, and periodic surprises, then it is largely subtractive. – Nassim Taleb

The fact of the matter is that we can only dedicate a certain amount of energy to any given thing. What’s worse, time is not on our side and is constantly running down on us. Without us even noticing it, we can potentially waste a lot of our life on activities that don’t add a lot to our existence. – Siim Land

Wit. Wisdom. Value Investing. Via Negativa is one of the most critical lessons I have learned and practised, and that has helped me simplify my life considerably and brought me tremendous peace. Right from subtracting toxic people, and anxiety, and worried sleeping, and fear of death, and self-doubt, and the need to be liked, and victim’s mentality, and fear of failure, and perfectionism, and multitasking, and the need to control everything, and saying yes too often … has brought me a really long way. – Safal Niveshak