Freud was wrong. There is a much simpler, much easier way to succeed in life: learn the art of flattery.

Have you ever wondered why there are so many incompetent people holding leadership roles today?

Of course, nepotism plays an important role, I don’t want to deny it, but there is another explanation, much more subtle and banal: knowing how to please this or that person, opens all doors.

Do you know where the most perfect portrait of such a man is found? In the novel “War and Peace”. Maybe if you’ve read it, you won’t remember Boris.

He is a character who goes unnoticed, he has no great talent, he is not brave, he does not shine with intelligence and imagination, passion or kindness, but he knows how to do one thing and he knows how to do it very well: He manages to get into the good graces of influential people.

This is how he builds his wealth. Well, it really stuck with me because there are so many Borises in history.

They are always found clinging to the edge of a powerful person, always ready to lift him up with the eternal art of servility. In exchange for favors, of course.

But then is it worth being like Boris?

I want to answer you with the words of Diogenes, the Greek philosopher whom many have called the mad Socrates of antiquity.

Here one day Diogenes was having his dinner, a simple supper of bread and lentils, when Aristippus of Cyrene came to visit him.

This Aristippus was a very rich man who lived in luxury, thanks to the praises he used to praise princes and kings.

Aristippus said to Diogenes:

“I see you are eating a very poor dinner. I want to give you a piece of advice. If you would learn to be humble to the king, you would not be forced to eat lentils.”

Diogenes turned to his friend and answered:

“I want to give you one more piece of advice: learn to love lentils. If you had learned to live by eating lentils, you would not now be forced to flatter the king and live like a slave trying to satisfy your every need.”

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