[November 25, 2023] When my book, 55 Rules for a Good Life, came out last year, I received a vigorous critique of the first Chapter, “Nobody Owes You Nuttin’.” A psychologist who read the book told me he could quickly identify the type of person I am just by reading my first Chapter. And several political leftists were adamant that I committed a crime against humanity.
At first, I was puzzled at the strength and frequent challenges of the book, but I realized that this Chapter (see link to Chapter 1) challenged the core of the ideology of my detractors. The Chapter says that you are who you are, you have free will, and you determine your own fate.
“Realize that nobody owes you nuttin’. Not only does no one owe you anything, you owe the world everything. Once you accept this truth, you will be forever free to pursue your future as you wish.” – Chapter 1, 55 Rules for a Good Life
This Chapter’s theme runs against the ideology that the world is nothing but a power struggle between those in power, the oppressors, and those who are abused, the oppressed. The oppressors are evil, by definition, and any means to stop them is acceptable. The oppressed are only good people who can do no wrong. Those who believe this also state publically and proudly that any action by the oppressed to overthrow their oppressors, using any means available, no matter how debased or horrific.
The very idea that victimhood is an infantile idea and should be outright rejected by all adults runs against their neo-Marxist views. I have threatened the very foundation of their ideology and thus their visceral reaction to my book, in general, and to Chapter 1 specifically.
I challenge my readers to read my book and tell me your thoughts. Linked here is the first Chapter in its entirety for your reading. Thank you in advance for your comments.
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Please read my books:
Sir, great article. 🥸
My reaction is to say “well done” and rightly so.
Welcome aboard, Daniel.
Gen. Satterfield, another great comment on what should be a basic philosophy of life. You are personally responsible for yourself and for others if you are good enough taking care of yourself. Thanks Gen. Satterfield for your great blog.
Army Capt, thanks for writing what I was thinking.
Gen. Satterfield is taking Chapter 1 from his most recent book “55 Rules for a Good Life,” and telling us that there is a lot of pushback on it because, IMHO, the radical left narrative that group identity is important. Nope, group identity experiment happened in the 20th century and the results were horrific. Let us move beyond that.
Excellent article and great advice.
As ya know general, I already provided this critique of Chapter1 to ya.
It is a book’s most important chapter since it determines if one will continue to chapter 2.
So here it is:
Chapter 1
Realize that nobody owes you nuttin’.
Nor only does no one owe you anything, you owe the world everything.
Once you accept this truth, you will be forever free to pursue your future as you wish.
NUTTIN?
MM…. NUTTIN?
HUH?
A Nam Vet would say, Nuttin”, Not A Thing.
This Nam Vet read and reread the 2.5 pages devoted to this rule and concludes….the pure simplicity is magical, and mysterious, and yes, yes indeed by golly there is something here, however,small a seed it may be.
The other rules will or could build on top of that.
Yes, we will open that curtain, Tomorrow, Tomorrow.
Da General gots me a humming only one rule in.
EH, me thinks the hummin’ will stop Tomorrow.
RULE 2
Get used to cold showers: life is tough.
Hi Mr. Reilly, good comment to tie this “rule” into the other rules in his book “55 Rules for a Good Life.” It is truly the base rule.
My friend Bob I strongly agree with your comments about chapter one. No body own you nothing.
The man or woman in the mirror says it all. Who’s thdt person. YOU. YOU limits yourself to your own success or failure in life
Eddie and Bob and Stacey, this is the reason I’m reading this blog and encouraging others to read it. The depth of leadership philosophy and just learning how to be a good person, permeates throughout this blog.
“Nobody owes you nuttin'” …. a great sentiment. At its most fundamental level this means that each of us are responsible for ourselves. Gen. Satterfield’s book goes on to paint this picture vividly in examples and traditional philosophies of being and uses practical examples on how to make yourself a much better person. He begins with the idea that we are all responsible first for ourselves, then move to more complex responsibilities like for your spouse, then family with kids, then neighborhood/community, then state, then nation. The more responsibility you adopt, the more satisifed with you life you will be.
Greg, well said.
good comment
Another article to sit back with my coffee in one hand and holding my dogs leash in the other. Now, maybe Gen. Satterfield is trying to be a philosopher of some kind.
Wow, great article and helped me focus on why leftists are mentally insane.
Hi Willie, I don’t think that is what Gen. Satterfield meant. He is saying that they opposed his writings because he challenges their belief system.
Gen. Satterfield has identified, I believe, the core argument that Radical Leftists use against America and the West in general. When they align everybody into groups, and then judge those groups, there is NO responsibility on those within that group. And the experiment played out during the 20th century and the 100+ million dead pretty much closed that argument. Until now and it is resurrected.
“This Chapter’s theme runs against the ideology that the world is nothing but a power struggle between those in power, the oppressors, and those who are abused, the oppressed. The oppressors are evil, by definition, and any means to stop them is acceptable. The oppressed are only good people who can do no wrong. Those who believe this also state publically and proudly that any action by the oppressed to overthrow their oppressors, using any means available, no matter how debased or horrific.” – Gen. Doug Satterfield. Sir, ouch, this certainly explains the craziness us normal people see when confronted by BLM and antifa protestors. Their rioting is “good”. Don’t beleive me? VP Kamala Harris praised them and helped fund their efforts. This from the second most powerful person in America. She supports destruction but only in the name of her Marxist ideologies.
Good point Max, but I don’t believe that VP K. Harris is smart enough to make the connection. For her, it’s all emotion, no substance. 👀👀👀👀👀
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 LOL
Facts!
Nothing like a great article to start off our weekend.
I agree that neo-Marxists would hate this chapter. I goes against their victimhood ideology and attempts to put everyone into a group and label that group as oppressed or oppressor. Then no matter what you do, your status is determined by that group and your actions are either good or evil simply for that categorization.
Excellent comment and that itself is a danger. That means no one can do good or evil unless first their status as oppressed or oppressor is first considered.
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All the more reason to read “55 Rules for a Good Life” in its entirety. Link is above.
Nailed it Maximillian 👍