Zurich Axioms

The First Major Axiom:
ON RISK
Worry is not a sickness but a sign of health.
If you are not worried, you are not risking enough.


The Second Major Axiom:
ON GREED
Always take your profit too soon


The Third Major Axiom:
ON HOPE
When the ship starts to sink, don't pray.Jump.


The Fourth Major Axiom:
ON FORECASTS
Human behavior cannot be predicted.
Distrust anyone who claims to know the future, however dimly.


The Fifth Major Axiom:
ON PATTERNS
Chaos is not dangerous until it begins to look orderly.


The Sixth Major Axiom:
ON MOBILITY
Avoid putting down roots.
They impede motion.


The Seventh Major Axiom:
ON INTUITION
A hunch can be trusted if it can be explained.


The Eighth Major Axiom:
ON RELIGION AND THE OCCULT
It is unlikely that God's plan for the universe includes making you rich.


The Ninth Major Axiom:
ON OPTIMISM AND PESSIMISM
Optimism means expecting the best, but confidence means knowing how you will handle the worst.
Never make a move if you are merely optimistic.


The Tenth Major Axiom:
ON CONSENSUS
Disregard the majority opinion.
It is probably wrong


The Eleventh Major Axiom:
ON STUBBORNNESS
If it doesn't pay off the first time, forget it.


The Twelfth Major Axiom:
ON PLANNING
Long-range plans engender the dangerous belief that the future is under control.

It is important never to take your own long-range plans, or other people's, seriously.