Recently I have been writing about 9 half-joking rules in various spheres of life. One of the readers invited me to share my own rules of life. After some reflection, I put down the following 9 things that, I think, characterize me. Probably, these are not really rules, and they are not even principles. These are, rather, 9 primordial elements of my consciousness, or personality. But that’s how it seems to me. Obviously, others might think differently.

1. Curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge.

2. Decency and the desire for good.

3. Striving for self-improvement and excellence.

4. Constant reflections and self-search.

5. The need for harmony and meaning.

6. The desire to write and create.

7. High sensitivity and responsiveness.  

8. Love of physical activity and industriousness.

9. The ability to cooperate and compete.

9 RULES OF THE RULES

1. All rules are subject to other rules unknown to them.

2. Careful observance of incomprehensible rules is the right way to violate them.

3. A rusted rule is an iron rule that is not observed.

4. The golden rule can retreat, referring to the diamond rule.

5. Flexible rules are a source of stability and … ugliness.

6. The most beautiful rules are those that no one knows about, but that everyone follows.

7. Rules, like rabbits, like to multiply quickly.

8. Rules supplementing other rules will inevitably be supplemented by other rules.

9. There will always be rules that will indicate the inconsistency of existing rules, including the above-mentioned rules.

9 FUNNY RULES FOR HANDLING UNFAMILIAR DOGS ON THE STREET

1. Not only can people be afraid of unfamiliar dogs, but dogs can also be afraid of unfamiliar people.

2. People know this, but may not feel it; and dogs feel it, although they may not know it.

3. Not only can people be kindly interested in stranger dogs, but dogs can also be kindly interested in stranger people.

4. Cowardice towards alien dogs can be risky, bravery towards them can be no less risky.

5. Looking at a passing dog may not be safe, not looking at it may also be unsafe.

6. It is unwise to stay where you are when an unidentified dog approaches you; it can also be unwise to stand still when such a dog approaches you.

7. Be careful to pass unnoticed when you see an unfamiliar dog; also, be careful to attract the attention of such a dog.

8. Why not smile if a beautiful unfamiliar dog wants to smell you; but what good can it be if it wants to smell you?

9. Keep in mind that some scary-looking dogs can be cute, but some cute-looking dogs can be scary (in fact, so do people).

9 RULES OF NEGOTIATION FOR FUNNY GUYS

1. Negotiations about something are, first of all, negotiations with someone.

2. You can’t negotiate with someone without knowing what to negotiate about.

3. Sometimes, knowing what and with whom to negotiate, it is better not to start them.

4. To start negotiations, you should first see their end.

5. To see the end of negotiations, you should look at their beginning.

6. Not every end of negotiations contributes to their beginning.

7. Not every start of negotiations contributes to their completion.

8. In order to start negotiations, preparations for them must be completed.

9. It is impossible to prepare for negotiations without preparing for the preparation of negotiations.

9 NOT VERY FUNNY RULES FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS

1. Science loves the curious. But that’s not enough to be a scientist.

2. In fact, only the super-curious achieve success in science.

3. However, in science, curiosity and even super-curiosity are also not enough, because nothing can be done without knowledge.

4. But even this is not enough for a scientist, since one also needs to work hard.

5. Alas, this is also not enough, because a scientist should be systematic in research.

6. As you probably expect, this is not enough in science either: human relationships are also important for your explorations.

7. Yet, all this is also not sufficient without creativity.

8. And, of course, none of the above matters if one doesn’t publish academic works.

9. Finally, nothing is enough without some luck. But this has little to do with science.

9 FUNNY RULES FOR NOVICE DIPLOMATS

Rule one. In order to build relations with other countries, you may first build relations with your bosses and colleagues at home.

Rule two. To learn how to negotiate with foreigners in a foreign country, you can first carry bags and suitcases of senior members of high delegations visiting this country.

Rule three. It is necessary to know your native language well since it can be assumed that every young diplomat has already mastered a foreign language.

Rule four. In diplomacy, the ability to write is more important than the ability to breathe.

Rule five. In conversations and negotiations, you should always tell the truth, but not necessarily everything you know.

Rule six. To control words, you need to control thoughts, but to control thoughts, you need to have them.

Rule seven. The appearance can hide a lot, but not the absence of intelligence.

Rule eight. You need to be able to observe others, but even more importantly – yourself.

Rule nine. It is necessary to have internal rules in order not to turn diplomacy into the art of firm adherence to international rules, gently bypassing them.

A bad university is worse than a bad company. If a bad company produces low-quality products or services, then a bad university generates bullshit minds and worthless personalities.

The deeper the thought, the more it has a sense of style.

Predictions don’t come true. This, of course, also applies to this prediction.