User:Khaosworks101/TC's Rules

1. All information is useful

2. Everybody lies; find out why they’re lying - the rest will follow

3. Coincidences happen, but don’t trust them

4. Never theorize without data, or twist facts to suit theories

5. When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, is the truth

6. Grab what you need and get out

7. Advocacy is both chess and poker

8. Get them to admit the smaller things and they’ll be ready to admit the bigger ones

9. Apportioning blame is unproductive; work the problem first

10. Prepare for the worst case scenario, but don’t live in fear of it

11. Always have a fall-back position; preferably two

12. Give witnesses rope and they’ll hang themselves

13. No position is bulletproof; there’s always a flaw if you look hard enough

14. Attack their argument at its strongest and use it against them

15. Don’t anticipate too much; present your best case first and foremost

16. No plan survives contact with the enemy; leave room to improvise

17. Know your audience and tailor your presentation accordingly

18. Everybody lies; physical evidence doesn’t

19. Trust yourself and finish what you start

20. Don’t bring your work home with you

21. Never present problems without solutions

22. If you don’t know, say so - then go find out

23. Sometimes you’ll face a no-win scenario, but you don’t have to like or accept it

24. Your gut may be wrong or it may be right, but never ignore it

25. How you think is more important than what you know

26. Ignorance is curable; stupidity less so

27. If you have discretion, don’t be afraid to exercise it

28. Sometimes it’s not that you’re wrong, but someone else just had the last word

29. You will never get a Perry Mason confession

30. The goal of cross-examination is so they sound stupid or incredible

31. Know when to hold ‘em, when to fold ‘em, when to walk away, when to run - and never count your money sitting at the table

32. Guilt can be useful, but don’t let it define you

33. If you need to ask if it’s right or wrong... it’s probably wrong

34. Don’t be a dick or a doormat

35. Takedowns should always be as quick and efficient as possible

36. Right isn’t always nice or pretty

37. Actions have consequences; be prepared for them

38. Develop muscle memory for the mundane; it frees your brain for the unexpected

39. Life’s too short to be scared of stupid people

40. Breathe

41. If you keep accusing people of conspiring against you, don’t be surprised if they eventually do so

42. The other side has rules, too

43. Never start a fight, but always finish it

44. What you mean is less important than what you do

45. There is always doubt; the question is whether it’s a reasonable one

46. Eat an elephant one bite at a time

47. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good

48. Trust in God, but row away from the rocks

49. Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades

50. Do the job that’s in front of you

51. Whenever possible, choose kindness

52. Do good, even and especially if there is no reward

53. Fight the right battle and on your chosen ground, not theirs

54. Sometimes you have to roll the hard six