Is it too late to start working hard at 40?

After middle age, what's truly most precious isn't family harmony, but having something worthwhile to dedicate yourself to wholeheartedly—something that won't be disrupted by anyone's interference or arbitrary interruptions to your plans.

If you observe closely, the biggest problem for most people struggling financially is that their days are consumed by countless trivial matters. They waste time arguing over meaningless issues, leaving their lives and work in disarray. Not a single second is spent making real progress on what truly matters.

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I constantly remind my readers: Seize the time before family and children become burdens. Dedicate yourself wholeheartedly for a period, shed all trivialities, and abandon meaningless pursuits beyond your goals. This commitment will propel you beyond most peers. That’s exactly what I did in my early twenties—living practically at the office to accelerate my goals, working every waking hour.

Commuting by bus felt like a hassle, so I’d go days without showering. When I got too filthy, I’d grab a short-term hotel room nearby to freshen up before diving back into work. That period saw unprecedented growth in both my income and understanding.

The difference between geniuses and ordinary people isn’t intelligence—it’s that geniuses know how to shed the unnecessary and dive deep into their pursuits. The greatest folly of most ordinary people lies in spending vast amounts of time maintaining so-called “normality.” These supposedly normal activities consume their time, ultimately leaving them accomplishing nothing. As they grow older, with families and children, their time and energy become even more fragmented, ensuring they achieve nothing of significance in their entire lives.

This world is truly cruel, for the fates of most mediocre souls converge. Their ultimate destiny is to become others' “blood bags,” constantly drained by various institutions until they are discarded as worthless—all while enduring constant scorn and contempt. I believe that for a man, if he cannot build a successful career, he should not expect any woman to treat him gently. You must understand that in this world, neither men nor women truly possess love. Couples come together only through fleeting illusions, and whether their lives remain peaceful afterward depends entirely on whether their social standing is sufficiently strong.

Poverty breeds misery in marriage, warping every aspect of life. Countless families exist where a woman rages daily, cursing her husband's inadequacies, yet stubbornly refuses to divorce. Eventually, their children grow up, leave for work elsewhere, and never return. No amount of moral blackmail or threats of suicide can reverse this. Countless couples who neither love nor possess the capacity to raise children form families out of necessity, perpetuating dysfunction across generations. Yet they never consider that they may be fundamentally unworthy of such burdens—or that this is the price they must ultimately pay.

Sometimes, knowing you're powerless and choosing to remain childfree is actually an act of kindness.

No matter where or how old a woman is, her core nature is to admire strength. If you're strong, she'll look up to you; if you're weak, she'll ride roughshod over you, trampling every last shred of your dignity. That's why I always warn my brothers: no matter how tough things get today, never go home to complain. Take on extra jobs instead of uttering another word. Money matters defy reason—the weaker you appear, the more those weaker than you will try to devour you.

Before thirty, you can love whatever you want, observe everything, fully experience the world, and love and struggle passionately. But if you're still overly eager for external things after thirty, it'll be your downfall. Society's tolerance for men and women is limited to their youth. Once you grow older without achieving anything, this social system will despise you harshly. And the pressure won't come from strangers—it will come from those closest to you. They often know exactly how to strike your most vulnerable spots.

When things aren't going well for you, keep yourself busy—preferably so busy you can't even touch the ground. Never let anyone find you easily, and never let anyone know your state or emotions. Because the moment they see you or learn your situation, they'll tear you apart and devour you whole. Not only will they drag you into money-draining schemes, but they'll also turn your emotions into a tangled mess.

Learn to embrace solitude and restraint. Learn to quietly accomplish things. After thirty, stop hoping for windfalls from the sky—even if one lands, don’t take it. Instead, hone your skills through relentless practice. Spend extended periods quietly perfecting one thing, ignoring anyone who tries to distract you. Discussing unfinished projects with others leaks their energy, inviting trouble.

When you're down, don't run around recklessly; when you're rising, don't show off. Clean up every little loose end that others might exploit. Learn to build impenetrable walls around your finances and fortify your emotions with a thousand-ton barrier. Only by safeguarding your state of mind and your wealth can you truly weather every crisis.

Those who thrive invariably tread carefully, walking on eggshells. It is through constant vigilance and caution—refusing to covet what isn't yours—that one navigates each hardship with steadfast security. Remember: the world harbors more villains than saints, and many good people commit wrongs without ever recognizing their actions as such. The day you feel everything is smooth sailing and you're completely safe is precisely when your downfall begins.

We must strive for absolute purity, maintaining constant vigilance. Do not allow anyone to disturb you or drain your energy under any pretext. Do not let anyone monopolize your time or burden you with irrelevant trivialities.

Believe this: only a select few are destined to break free—perhaps one in a hundred, or even one in a thousand. Thus, to achieve extraordinary success, you must sever ties with the mindset and methods of the ordinary. Their mediocrity stems from their inability to deeply commit to any single pursuit; they've long been ensnared by what they deem vital trivialities.

You ask me: How can one find a way out and achieve extraordinary accomplishments? I believe there is only one path: devote massive, overwhelming amounts of time to that truly important thing, immersing yourself completely and without distraction.

Yet observe many people: they fail to adhere to this principle. Their days are consumed by tedious trivialities, and they never invest in hiring nannies, housekeepers, or professional help to manage these tasks. Consequently, their lives and schedules descend into chaos, causing them to miss their prime developmental window. By the time they resolve to strive, it is already too late.

Before we discuss financial freedom, we must first possess the freedom of will. If a person lacks even the freedom of will, it's difficult to truly transcend wealth.

These words carry weight; not everyone can hear or understand them. But if you genuinely seek change, I advise you to read them at least three times patiently, letting these stark truths sink into your bones, becoming part of your thinking and decision-making. Whenever small-minded people, fools, or fake do-gooders approach you, recognize the illusion and withdraw immediately.

Never harbor false hopes toward anyone or anything. Always adhere to the principle of equivalent exchange—it will prevent 99% of your troubles.