#219 Poor Charlie's Almanack（16/08/2026）

This week and next week will likely be quite busy. At the beginning of last week, I was working on some software development for projects in collaboration with a-fontane. Then, from Wednesday onwards, I've been busy with something else due to an important product update, which everyone will find out about next week. I also believe next week will continue to be quite hectic. Therefore, today, let's talk about reading. There's a book I actually bought five or six years ago. I tried reading it a few times but always gave up halfway because, at the time, it was too long and too profound for me. But recently, I felt like trying to read it again. So I picked it up. The book is "Poor Charlie's Almanack." Many people probably know this book; it's definitely a classic, and I think it's one of the classics in self-help literature. I've seriously read 25% of the book. Since I haven't finished it, I can't really write about my insights yet, but so far, I've noticed many of his "principles for doing things." The term "principles" (心法) was taught to me by my uncle. He said there are two types of approaches to work: "methods" (方法) and "principles" (心法). Methods are how you actually do something, while principles are the underlying theories and principles behind your actions (this reminds me a bit of Ray Dalio's "Principles," which is also an excellent book that talks about principles). I've only read a part of it so far, but I already find it very useful. Many of the concepts inside are very basic but genuinely practical. For example, how to handle interpersonal relationships, how to live a long, stable, and peaceful life, how to avoid misfortune... e.g., he mentions that when he borrows someone's car, he always returns it with a full tank of gas. On the surface, it's about borrowing a car, but there's already a deeper meaning embedded in it. He also emphasizes the importance of seeing the ultimate essence of things and the underlying operating principles and values, rather than following trends or caring about what others think, which is also great wisdom. So, because he has his own way of looking at the essence of things, rather than inferring his decisions based on what others think, he can live a different life and have his own approach, which is why many people consider him successful in life.

I've been very busy these past few days this week; I'll write more next week.