Mimicking the herd invites regression to the mean.

You must force yourself to consider opposing arguments. Especially when they challenge your best loved ideas.

I don't have the slightest interest in gold. I like understanding what works and what doesn't in human systems. To me that's not optional; that's a moral obligation. If you're capable of understanding the world, you have a moral obligation to become rational. And I don't see how you become rational hoarding gold. Even if it works, you're a jerk.

'F.A.S.B' ... 'Financial Accounts Still Bogus'.

There’s no way that you can live an adequate life without many mistakes. In fact, one trick in life is to get so you can handle mistakes. Failure to handle psychological denial is a common way for people to go broke.

Determine value apart from price; progress apart from activity; wealth apart from size.

It's a good habit to trumpet your failures and be quiet about your successes.