Why should they? They are the center of the universe. There are so many "intelligent" people who argue or de- fend when a new idea clashes with the way they think. In this case, their so-called intelligence combined with arro- gance equals ignorance. Each of us knows people who are highly educated, or believe they are smart, but their bal- ance sheet paints a different picture. A truly intelligent per- son welcomes new ideas, for new ideas can add to the synergy of other accumulated ideas. Listening isrrjcgehn- portant than talking. ILftnat was not true, God would not have given us two ears and only one mouth. Toomany people think witJTjhejr_jacajthffistead of listening to ab- sorb new ideas and possibilities. .Thev argue instead of ask- ing questions. I take a long view on my wealth. I do not subscribe to the "Get rich quick" mentality most lottery players or casino gamblers have. I may go in and out of stocks, but I am long on education. If you want to fly an airplane, I ad- vise taking lessons first. I am always shocked at people who buy stocks or real estate, but never invest in their greatest asset, their mind. Just because you bought a house or two does not make you an expert at real estate. 3. CHOOSE FRIENDS CAREFULLY: The power of as- sociation. First of all, I do not choose my friends by their financial statements. I have friends who have ac- tually taken the vow of poverty as well as friends who earn millions every year. The point is I learn from all of them, and I consciously make the effort to learn from them. Now I will admit that there are people I have actually sought out because they had money. But I was not after their money; I was seeking their knowledge. In some cases, these people who had money have become dear friends, but not all. But there is one distinction that I would like to point out. I've noticed that my friends with money talk about money. And I do not mean brag. They're interested in the subject. So I learn from them, and they learn from me. My friends whom I know are in dire straits financially do not like talking about money, business or investing. They often think it rude or unintellectual. So I also learn from my friends who struggle financially. I find out what not to do. I have several friends who have generated over a billion dollars in their short lifetimes. The three of them report the same phenomenon: Their friends who have no money have never come to them to ask them how they did it. But they do come asking for one of two things, or both: 1. a loan, or 2. a job. "~ A WARNING; Don't listen to poor or frightened people. I have such friends, and I love them dearly, but they are the "Chicken Littles" of life. When it comes to money, es- pecially investments, "The sky is always falling." They can always tell you why something won't work. The problem is, people listen to them, but people who blindly accept doom-and-gloom information are also "Chicken Littles.