Looks Depreciate
In accounting, tangible assets lose value over time — machines, buildings, cars. And so do looks. Intangible assets are different: money, power, honor, and trust barely show on the books, yet they compound.
Looks depreciate.
In accounting, there is a concept called depreciation.
Tangible assets lose value as time passes.
Machines, buildings, cars.
And looks, too.
Looks are a tangible asset.
Visible, touchable, and bound to kneel before time.
No matter how well you maintain them, there is only one direction. Down.
Yet few people realize that good looks are an image.
Xi Jinping is no matinée idol.
But to someone inside that system,
he will look more overwhelming than any actor.
Because power creates image, and image creates allure.
Look at Trump. No explanation needed.
Intangible assets are different.
Money, power, honor, trust.
These barely register on the books.
But they compound.
There is no depreciation.
If anything, they grow harder with time.
Sima Yi did not try to win his wars.
Not losing was enough.
Even when Zhuge Liang tried to provoke him, he would not take the bait.
Because he knew time was on his side.
And in the end, the realm passed to Sima Yi's grandson.
Starting with looks is not a bad thing.
But going on looks alone is dangerous.
If your assets shrink every year and you build nothing new,
the books eventually fall into the red.
Build intangible assets.
It is fine if they cannot be seen.
Compounding shows nothing at first.
That is why most people give up.
And that is why only a few remain.