Lavish Generosity as Power Currency

“Generally, the reader might assume Gary folded a C-note into his palm and slid it into the host’s manicured fingers. Not in this case. Gary handed the thin white man a thick white envelope. The host opened the envelope, and I could detect an almost imperceptible eyebrow twitch and moment of rapture. But he was a pro and cool as a cucumber. The host closed the envelope, smiled internally, and went to see if our private room was ready. It had probably been ready for hours, and we still would have been seated there with or without the $ 5,000 tip. But that was how the big man broke bread, and he wouldn't have expected anything less from his crew entertaining a guest on his behalf.”

““As far as money, I made fortunes and lost fortunes, but money comes and money goes. Money is magnificent, but it’s not everything. Sooner or later, you realize that some things are much more important. And you think about all the time you wasted chasing bullshit and illusions, and you get regrets. I realized it too late, but you got your whole life. You’re a smart kid, and I like you, so I’m going to give you a piece of advice that I wish someone had given me." Sidney now had my full attention, although I almost drove the car into a ravine. Fortunately he didn't notice. "Get out of this business and do something you care about. Something that makes a difference. Give people opportunities to help themselves. Find unknown heroes and get them known. You like to surf, right? So teach kids to surf. Even better, teach retarded kids to surf. Help abused animals. Do something to help, something you care about. You won’t regret it. Trust me on that. You will still be happy and satisfied, even if you don’t make any money. You can hold your head up and know that you made the world better. And if you make a little money along the way, and there’s no harm in that, then enjoy the shit out of it. But don’t let it control you. It will ruin you if you are weak. It will make you doubt everything and mistrust everyone. Even the people you love most of all."”