Nature vs. Nurture: Why Your Habits Are Actually Your Personality
In Book 17, Confucius gets into one of the oldest debates in the world: nature vs. nurture. He says, “People are similar by nature; they become distinct through practice.”
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Seller Financing: A Win-Win for Everyone
When you are putting together your plan for success as a deal maker, keep two things in mind: uniqueness and flexibility. These are the secret sauce that helps me make deals that are more profitable than the usual path. Most people think traditional mortgages are the only way to go, but owner financing is a total vibe because it lets you tailor the terms to fit both the buyer and the seller. I am the guy who loves it when everyone wins.
The Followers
When Confucius left Lu at 54 to wander around China looking for work, he didn’t go alone. He had a squad. These guys gave up their jobs and families to follow their teacher into a super uncertain future.
Bogle on Fund Structure: Why Vanguard Is Built Different
Book: Common Sense on Mutual Funds: Fully Updated 10th Anniversary Edition by John C. Bogle ISBN: 978-0-470-59748-4
Most investors have no idea how their fund company is organized. They pick a fund, send their money, and assume someone responsible is handling things on the other end. And honestly, that’s understandable. Fund structure sounds like the most boring topic in all of investing.
Flexibility Through Non-QM and DSCR Loans
Book: Real Estate Deal Maker: Winning Strategies to Find and Finance Successful Rental Properties in Any Market Author: Henry Washington
Return to Lu
When Confucius got back to his home state of Lu around 515 BC, the vibes were… not great. The Duke was still in exile, and three powerful families (the Jisun, Mengsun, and Shusun) were basically running a shadow government.
Squad Goals: Confucius on the 3 Types of Friends You Need (And 3 to Block)
Book 16 is a bit of a weird one because scholars think it might have been added later. The vibe is different, it’s full of lists and “dos and don’ts” that feel more like a textbook than the usual conversational Master. But honestly, the advice is still top-tier, especially when it comes to your social circle.
Bogle on Fund Directors: The People Who Should Protect You but Don't
Book: Common Sense on Mutual Funds: Fully Updated 10th Anniversary Edition by John C. Bogle ISBN: 978-0-470-59748-4
“No man can serve two masters.” That’s from the Bible, Matthew 6:24. And Bogle uses it to open Chapter 18 because it captures the core problem with mutual fund governance in one sentence.
Early Career and Teachings
Imagine being a genius but having to work in a grain warehouse. That was Confucius in his 20s. He started out as a low-level civil servant, making sure the rice and millet didn’t get moldy. Later, he got promoted to managing herds of sheep and oxen. He wasn’t too proud for the “lowly skills”—he just made sure the animals were fat and healthy and moved on.
Stay the Path: Confucius on Consistency and Staying Low-Key
Book 15 feels like a wrap-up of some of the most practical advice in the whole series. It’s about how to stay consistent when things get tough and why you should stop worrying about what everyone else thinks of you.