Just monkeys, monkeying around, trying to make sense of things. Even the monkeys at the top who are supposed to make sure things work for the rest of us don’t know what they’re doing half the time.

Yet some of those monkeys consider themselves important enough to take on the role of exactor – making demands, exacting payment, tribute or respect from the other monkeys as recognition of their importance. Acting like they know better.

Most of the time, they don’t know better. If they did, people would probably be volunteering to follow them. To someone truly great, tribute is given freely. If someone has to exact tribute, they’re not that great. A truly great idea gains support easily. Usually, when you find people trying to force their ideas on other people, it’s a sign that the idea isn’t that great to start with.

One of the most important things to remember in life is that anyone trying to exact anything from you is just another monkey thinking they’re more of a big deal than they are. People who are really a big deal generally don’t make demands.

To someone truly great, tribute is given freely.