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The businessman and the fisherman (1963)

thestorytellers.com

11–20 of 131 posts

Re: The businessman and the fisherman (1963)

#11
post #8

this is 'the parable of the mexican fisherman' it's the kind of story that is in every book like 7 habits of effective people or 4 hour work week or probably books by Malcolm Gladwell or ones like him

7 Habits is a great book everyone should read

Re: The businessman and the fisherman (1963)

#13
post #5

Anybody want to take a crack at tracing the origin of this one?

It’s a classic folklore story that seems to be present in many different cultures. (Found a Brazilian one: https://paulocoelhoblog.com/2015/09/04/the-fisherman-and-the...)

For a classic Western version, see Plutarch’s story:

‘What the favourite of the King of Epirus said to his master may be applied to all men in the ordinary situations of human life. When the king had recounted to him, in their proper order, all the conquests which he proposed to make, and had come to the last of them; “And what does your Majesty propose to do then?” said the Favourite. “I propose then,” said the King, “to enjoy myself with my friends, and endeavour to be good company over a bottle.” “And what hinders your Majesty from doing so now?” replied the Favourite.’

Re: The businessman and the fisherman (1963)

#14
post #2

A few years later, the fisherman gets an expensive, debilitating disease and dies penniless and destitute and alone. But at least he had fun before that.

Well, apparently the story was conceived by a German, in which case the social system would catch him, provide the health care he needs, and when recovered he'd be back on that beach...

Re: The businessman and the fisherman (1963)

#15
post #2

A few years later, the fisherman gets an expensive, debilitating disease and dies penniless and destitute and alone. But at least he had fun before that.

He doesn’t die alone. His children and wife watch him die. Without him, they must toil endlessly to survive.

Re: The businessman and the fisherman (1963)

#17
post #8

this is 'the parable of the mexican fisherman' it's the kind of story that is in every book like 7 habits of effective people or 4 hour work week or probably books by Malcolm Gladwell or ones like him

7 Habits is a great book everyone should read

> First off, I'd suggest buying "Seven Habits of Highly Successful People", and NOT read it. Burn it, it's a great symbolic gesture.

-- Linus Torvalds

Myself... I'm not that extreme, but the good ideas from so many business books could be summed up in a few paragraphs.

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