Life has more meaning in the face of Death. - Robert Greene

Napoleon advised: Place your iron hand inside a velvet glove.

A bold act requires a high degree of confidence. People who are the targets of an audacious act, or who witness it, cannot help but believe that such confidence is real and justified. They respond instinctively by backing up, by getting out of the way, or by following the confident person. A bold act can put people on their heels and eliminate obstacles. In this way, it creates its own favorable circumstances.

Never pick a fight with someone you're not sure you can defeat.