The Trickster, the Sucker

Daily Meditation 810–5/18/2024

“Every day a trickster and a sucker leave their homes. And every day, a trickster and a sucker strike a deal.”

I can’t remember exactly where I heard this truism from, but I believe it was a Portuguese expression. And it does ring true.

Every conman is looking for a victim, but every victim is looking for solutions…and stumble upon the snake oil instead of the olive oil. In entrepreneurship, one of the core tenets is this concept of “Find (a group of) someone’s problem and sell the solution.” Well, a conman’s “solution” is technically solving the problem…or so the victim thinks.

You’re probably wondering where the hell I’m going with a philosophical meditation that starts with conmen and sales…
Well, it isn’t about them. It’s about slowing down and having awareness.

All “transactions” in our life — for money, for health, for power for example — are sold to you under auspices of being fast, easy, and cheap.
But:

There’s no such thing as a quick buck without RISK. There’s no such thing as a shortcut without SACRIFICE.
There’s no such thing as pure power without SELLING THE SOUL.