9
THE BILLIONAIRE
ible way,” John answered honestly.
“Good. An accurate observation. But it would be even more accurate to
put it this way: today’s academics aren’t capable of explaining the laws of
economics because they have no understanding of them. They somehow
think that economics is the domain of economists. But that’s not the case.
It’s psychologists, philosophers and gamblers who control the world eco-
nomy.
“When I turned twenty, John, my father and your grandfather initiated me
into the secrets of management. You’re already twenty, John, and I consider
you a worthy vessel for this knowledge.”
“Thank you, Father,” John replied.
And so, through these fireside chats, John began to study laws of econom-
ics, laws different from the ones taught in college. His father used a unique
method to teach his son. All instruction was imparted through intimate,
kind-hearted discussions that included examples and even playful elements.
The information that John’s father laid out before him was unbelievable, and
it goes without saying that he couldn’t have acquired it in any university in
the world, even the most prestigious.
“Tell me, John,” his father asked. “Do you know how many rich people
there are in our country? Or in the world?”
“They publish their names in business journals and list them in order ac-
cording to their worth,” John answered quietly.
“Do you know what place we occupy in these lists?”
This was the first time his father had said “we” instead of “I”. That meant
he thought of him, John, as an owner, too. And although he didn’t want to
upset his father, John replied:
“Your name doesn’t appear on those lists, Father.”
“Yes. Correct. It doesn’t. In spite of the fact that our profit from one year
alone exceeds the entire worth of many who appear on those lists. And my
name isn’t on any list because one should never make one’s wallet transpar-
ent. Many people on these lists are working directly or indirectly for our em-
pire – yours and mine, Son.”
“Dad, you must be an economic genius. I can’t begin to imagine how you
