Trader’s peace of mind

Chapter XV T rader’ s peace of mind Peace of mind is a quality that is required by all sorts of people, but to traders particularly. Those who have peace of mind are fortunate to have a good physique and equally mixed humors. These people are happy and positive, in peace with themselves and others, in friendly relations with everyone, they are neither envious nor malicious, neither unfair nor vindictive, nor suspicious, nor greedy, nor malevolent. People who are always melancholy and with their heads bowed, always looking down, usually feel negative emotions such as these. Such people are inherently bad; evil is always on their minds and in their actions; they are mean to themselves and their families, so it is best to stay away from their company. In addition, they are, by default, liars and fakes. While they always appear to be sullen and tormented on the outside, malice is what they grow in their hearts. People of such disposition are never well received in regions where dancing, singing, laughing and joking is an everyday habit, such as France, Germany or Hungary. Sullen people are considered the worst kind and hence, their company is generally avoided. All God’s servants, be it a trader, nobleman, soldier or gentleman, must rejoice and be happy and poised, regardless of rank and status. I will offer you a word of warning – a trader with an unsettled and confused mind does not seek advice, and is equally unable to act in accordance with his own judgment or make a sensible decision, for inertia only adds to evil tendencies, impairs

reasoning and numbs the mind. Let bile and blood be prevalent in your body, remain positive and poised, no mater what circumstances befall you. People disposed like this always have a good life and healthy reasoning. Y ou all knew about Stan, my grandfather, who, at the age of 96, happened to have a severe hernia. When a doctor called on him, he was impressed by Stan’s youthful and joyful appearance. He did not look a day older than a 40-year old and his skin was smooth so the doctor asked what the secret of his strength was. My grandfather said to him: “Despite the numerous misfortunes I suffered, I never lost my poise or optimism. Also, I never left the table with a full stomach.” The doctor came to realize that the ability to retain his peace of mind was the secret of this man’s longevity. Therefore, good habits should be acquired early in life, because, according to Seneca: “ An innate quality can be only appeased by skill, but it can never be suppressed.”