When Kevin Kelly turned 68, he sat down to curate a collection of pithy life advice he wished he'd encountered earlier. He intended to gift this informal compendium to his young adult children. However, over the following years, his treasure chest of aphorisms grew and took on a life of its own. Today, it contains 450 “bits” – a selection of which we’ll explore in this book. 

Some of these bits are well-known and widely spouted. Kelly makes no claim of ownership or originality. Instead, he offers us a glimpse into the trove of maxims he’s accumulated from a vast array of sources on his journey to date. Perhaps most crucially, he offers an insight into the advice he believes best paves the way to a better life. 

Just as a tiny acorn contains a giant oak, each of these bite-size bits could grow into a lengthy book in its own right. But rather than dictate how to apply the wisdom presented, Kelly invites you to expand on each bit to fit your life and experience. And if a bit doesn’t resonate? Simply set it aside and move on to the next.

So, fill your pockets with the proverbs that feel true to you at this moment in time. You can always return to this book as you venture further down the path to an excellent life.