People don’t write commandments any more or attempt to expound laws of behavior. Too bad, we could use more like these…

Style is its own reward
Do not attempt to find substance in everything. Some things are done only for the sake of form. This is especially true of mathematics.

Those who frame the conversation, shape it
For meetings, those who write the agenda determine the outcome.

The less the knowledge, the more carefully it is hidden
Mature disciplines do not worry about sharing knowledge; they worry only about the speed of revelation.  

Excellence increases demands
Negative critical attention increases in direct proportion to the quality of the work.

The competent successfully cover mistakes
Competent people demonstrate only that which works. Competent people have flawless spelling and grammar. Competent people make rationalizations sound natural.

Silence is not agreement
A new proposal greeted with silence does not mean acquiescence. It may be the result of shock, or more likely, it is the result of considering ways of sabotaging the suggestion.

Complexity attracts brilliance
The KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle does not apply to scientific endeavor. Good researchers want work to be complex and demanding. Among the greatest achievements are those attained by using professional talents to accomplish something that didn’t need to be done.

The triumph of narrative
A good story is worth a dozen truths. In any case, it is much more important to be interesting than truthful.