Social media had brought convenience, but it had also brought anxiety. People not only cared more and more about other people's lives, but also about how their own lives looked in other people's eyes.
Other people's lives seemed so rich and colorful, as if they were all winners in life. Compared to them, one's own life seemed dull and boring.
Some people became restless and jealous, comparing themselves in every way to find areas where they surpassed others.
But those with strong hearts did not care what others had done.
Such people shared three traits:
They knew what they wanted.
They knew what they had to do.
They knew what they could do.
If one could not achieve these three things, it was easy to let others dictate one's words and actions.
There were four bronze horses on the wall of St. Mark's Basilica. They had been looted from Constantinople, and this was connected to a famous swindle in human history.
Enrico Dandolo manipulated the Duke of Champagne, making him believe that if Venice was to join the Fourth Crusade and provide logistical support to retake Jerusalem, they first had to sack Constantinople.
Dandolo's purpose was to weaken Constantinople and make Venice independent, so it would not have to worry about being annexed by Spain at any time like Portugal. But he also knew Venice alone lacked the strength to weaken the Eastern Roman Empire, so he borrowed a knife to kill someone else.
Learning to recognize this scheme could prevent one from falling for a huge scam and suffering major losses.
Singaporeans used Japanese investment to develop Heirless Island—no, Sentosa Island—in much the same way. They made money off every wealthy person who wanted to buy property on the island. Only the name had changed; the essence had not.