1. If you want a job done right, do it yourself. Humans err more often than not. At least you know who to blame if you're the one who messes up.

2. People manipulate. It's in their nature. So don't put anything precious to you in someone else's possession, or they'll use it against you. Keep your own council.

3. Everything ends. Don't try to hold on to anything -life, hope, dreams. All of it will be ripped away eventually.

4. Trust no one. They'll play you, they'll betray you. This is in keeping with Rule 2.

5. You are not in control. These rules would be useful if you could do anything about them, but what you want doesn't matter worth a ****. You can't change the inevitable, despairing end of this story.

h.f.m.