Always do the right and fair thing. It’s a powerful concept. PopPop’s Additional Comment: My brother-in-law emphasized this lesson throughout his life. You probably have a friend or family member that follows this concept. Needless to say, this is a good habit to copy.
Have principles – live by them, teach them to others, do not change them, they are not for sale and should always override the impending transaction. Be prepared to walk away from a transaction, rather than violate your principles to win it.
Be tough-minded but tenderhearted.
When tempted to criticize your parents, spouse, children, grandchildren or friends, bite your tongue. PopPop’s Additional Comment: oy is this a hard lesson to do, but just do it. I feel that you should never leave a bad “taste” in your mouth because you criticized someone or something. This, of course, is hard to accomplish, especially when you are trying to give a helpful hint. Helpful hints and criticizing are two different things. Maybe rather than saying: you should be doing this or that—or don’t do that, you could say: Have you ever thought of doing this in the following manner—notice no criticizing in that last statement.
Never underestimate the power of love.
Never underestimate the power of forgiveness.
Hear both sides before judging. PopPop’s Additional Comment—During my years of practicing law and handling Section 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges as the Qualified Intermediary, I attended many meetings where the attendees would be asked to give their opinion on the issues being discussed. Early in my career, I would try to be one of the first people to give their opinion because I thought I was right and wanted to be the first one stating that position. What I learned was that in many cases, I did not have the complete picture. So now, like my friend Gilbert Lee Sandler, Esq., I try to hear both sides of an argument or issue, and then give my opinion, should I wish to do so.