I've met plenty of assholes. They're rich and getting richer. Being an asshole is like emitting a poison: at certain doses other people are fine. As it increas

I've met plenty of assholes. They're rich and getting richer. Being an asshole is like emitting a poison: at certain doses other people are fine. As it increases they become more transactional* until they shut down or let the relationship die. But this doesn't stop a lot from getting rich. Assholes do get "handled" however. Often it is used against them. But does this matter to them? Probably not to the extent you would expect. A lot of assholes hide their ways until they pounce. Being an asshole pays well. Does that make it ok? No. Does it matter to them? Likely not: they're assholes. The real lesson is to learn not to include assholes in your inner circle. And make it hard for them to join or get too close. There are benefits to not being an asshole. All that said, there are benefits to having an asshole. Shit needs to go through somewhere. And particular people are well suited to it. Let them. Some deals go better when done between assholes. * Or they're like a hot oven. We will tolerate the heat because we like cookies. But won't leave our hands in there too long or unprotected. We will turn the oven off completely when we don't need cookies. Transaction complete, cut ties. We might come up with ways to reduce exposure down to minimal levels. We'll wear gloves. Less time spent. Or we'll find a better oven with a better door and insulated handles.