“This desire to get something for nothing has been very costly to many people who have dealt with me and with other con men… When people learn – I doubt they will – that they can’t get something for nothing, crime will diminish and we shall all live in great harmony.” – Joseph Weil (The Yellow Kid)

The shortcut.

A promise to take you where you want to go faster than everyone else.

Want to be successful? There is a shortcut for that.

Want to be rich? There’s a shortcut for that too.

If you look for a shortcut, you will likely find one. After all, if there are buyers, there will be sellers.

But is what is on sale what you are looking for?

The rule persists: if the shortcut is real, why would they tell you about it? They would gain multiple times more if they had kept it to themselves.

Unless…

Unless every promised shortcut is sweet talk to the ears of the greedy. And only just that – sweet talk.

They will say, ‘If you buy my solution, you will be rich tomorrow.’ Even if they know it is a lie, they will say it if that’s what they need to do to get your attention (and into your pocket).

If you are greedy enough to believe you can get something for nothing, then the game is on.

Monies will exchange hands. The buyer and the seller happy. But one has received something real in exchange for nothing.

So who are shortcuts made for?

Don’t let it be you.

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The Yellow Kid was one of the most successful confidence men that existed. Read more here.

Image via TheStrangeList.com