Manera de el Conquistador
A Conquistador holds the personal accumulation of knowledge, wealth, and power to be a noble and worthy lifetime ambition. He appreciates his unique place in the universe and the glorious opportunity that life presents to him. He seeks truth not merely to know it but to use it, to live it, to exploit it.
A Conquistador is never wanting for a purpose in life and marvels at the lack of ambition in those around him. He regards a passive life to be a wasted life. Neither an optimist nor a pessimist, he is ever hopeful, a man of faith.
A Conquistador is a leader, not a follower. He understands that the pursuit of consensus is the absence of leadership. He does not enlist in crusades for justice, much less martyr himself in them. He is his own sovereign nation beholden to no man for those who attempt to coerce loyalty from him can be satisfied with a facsimile.
A Conquistador is a creator. He seeks knowledge, wealth, and power for the purpose of creation and he accumulates knowledge, wealth, and power as the fruits of his creations.
A Conquistador appreciates and enjoys the finer things in life but he does not depend on them. A Conquistador is equally comfortable dining in the upper west side, laboring in the ghetto, or force marching through the wilderness.
A Conquistador is aware of, and sensitive to, the envy and jealousy of others. He offers his sympathy to them but never allows them to delay his pursuit of ambitions and he is never surprised to find an envious knife at his throat.
A Conquistador understands that, within his circle of trust, blunt truth and clarity of purpose are the foundation for effective action but he knows that correcting the ignorance of fools is a fool's errand.
A Conquistador measures himself by the loyalty and love of his friends, the respect and adulation of his acquaintances, and the fear and animosity of his enemies. He assures that while his enemies may never know what to expect from him, his friends will never doubt his fidelity. And he is ever watchful for opportunities to turn enemies into friends.
A Conquistador knows that the most powerful word in any language is "no." He never allows himself to be bled by the endless demands of others. Instead, he builds networks of trust one favor at a time and chooses those whom he serves with deliberation and a view toward integrity and reciprocity.
A Conquistador is an exemplary gentleman or lady unless or until circumstances require the unsheathing of his sword.
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