The 50th Law (with 50 Cent)

The Self-entitled Slacker:
In the world today many people rightfully
feel entitled to have success and the good things in life, but they
usually understand that this will require sacrifice and hard work. Some
people, however, feel they deserve attention and many rewards in life
as if these are naturally due to them. These self-entitled slackers are
generally quite narcissistic. They will make the briefest outline for a
novel or screenplay they want to write, or an “idea” for a brilliant
business, and feel that that is enough to attract praise and attention.
But deep down, these slackers feel insecure about their ability to get
what they want; that is why they have never really developed the
proper discipline. When they find themselves around high achievers
who work very hard and have earned true respect for their work, this
will make them aware of the doubts about themselves they have been
trying to repress. They will move quickly from envy to hostility.
Christopher Wren (1632–1723) was one of the great geniuses of his
age, a renowned scientist and one of the leading architects of the time,
his most famous work being St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Wren was
also generally beloved by almost everyone who worked with him. His
enthusiasm, his obvious skill, and the long hours he gave on the job
made him popular with both the public and the workers on his
projects. One man, however, came to deeply envy him—William
Talman, a lower-level architect appointed as Wren’s assistant on
several important jobs. Talman believed that their roles should have
been reversed; he had an extremely high opinion of himself, a rather
sour attitude, and a pronounced lazy streak.
When a couple of accidents occurred on two of Wren’s projects,
killing some workmen, Talman went into overdrive, accusing his boss
of being negligent. He dug up every other possible misdeed in Wren’s
long career, trying to make the case that he did not deserve his lofty
reputation. For years he waged a campaign to besmirch Wren’s
reputation, calling him careless with lives and money and generally
overrated. He so muddied the waters that the king finally gave some
important commissions to the much less talented Talman, infuriating
Wren. Talman proceeded to steal and incorporate many of Wren’s
innovations. The ugly battle with Talman had a debilitating emotional
effect on Wren that lasted years.
Be extra careful in the work environment with those who like to
maintain their position through charm and being political, rather than
by getting things done. They are very prone to envying and hating

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those who work hard and get results. They will slander and sabotage
you without any warning.