--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If there’s one lesson I learned early on…" description: "\"“If there’s one lesson I learned early on during the decades I’ve spent in this business, it’s that of all the qualities that distinguish a hard target..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34c/barry-eisler-1009_business_if-there-s-one-lesson-i-learned-early-on_1892045.jpg" --- # If there’s one lesson I learned early on during the… ![“If there’s one lesson I learned early on during the decades I’ve spent in this business, it’s that of all the qualities that distinguish a hard target from everyone else, among the most important is self-control. Yes, you have to be able to think like the opposition, which enables you to spot the…” quote by Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34c/barry-eisler-1009_business_if-there-s-one-lesson-i-learned-early-on_1892045.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34c/barry-eisler-1009_business_if-there-s-one-lesson-i-learned-early-on_1892045.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34c/barry-eisler-1009_business_if-there-s-one-lesson-i-learned-early-on_1892045.jpg) > ““If there’s one lesson I learned early on during the decades I’ve spent in this business, it’s that of all the qualities that distinguish a hard target from everyone else, among the most important is self-control. Yes, you have to be able to think like the opposition, which enables you to spot the ambush. And yes, you have to be able to take immediate, violent action in case—oops—your ability to spot the ambush fails. And yes, sentiment is a weakness. But fundamental to the rest is self-control. Because if you’re not in control of yourself, someone else is, most likely an enemy, and in my business, an enemy isn’t someone who wants the promotion you’re after, or who covets your corner office, or who wants to beat you on the tennis court or golf course or display a better car in his driveway. In my business, an enemy is someone determined to end your life, and probably with the means to bring it about.”” [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self-control is crucial in high-stakes business; without it, enemies can dominate and threaten existence. **In simple terms:** Self-control protects you from being manipulated or destroyed. Key Takeaway Cultivate disciplined thinking and rapid decisive action. Themes self-control strategy danger Mood tense urgent Type advice strategic When to use this quote - corporate leadership - negotiations - personal security Key Concepts psychology risk management Questions to Reflect On - Do you balance aggression with empathy? - How does self-control affect your relationships? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on aggression can ignore collaborative solutions and ethical concerns. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Golf course](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golf-course/) [Self control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-control/) ## Related quotes > [The route to the target is more important than the target. 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