When I was younger one of my favourite shows was Star Trek: TNG. In that TV show a race of aliens called the Ferengi have their entire society based on profit and wealth.

Every Ferengi is taught and believes in "The Rules of Acquisition". I always found these rules interesting. In some of the episodes the Ferengi characters would mention or refer to a certain rule number.

Here is a list of those that were mentioned on the show. A complete list was never revealed.

• 1. Once you have their money, you never give it back.
• 2. The best deal is the one that brings the most profit.
• 3. Never spend more for an acquisition than you have to.
• 4. A woman wearing clothes is like a man in the kitchen.
• 6. Never allow family to stand in the way of opportunity. or Never allow family to stand in the way of profit.
• 7. Keep your ears open.
• 8. Small print leads to large risk.
• 9. Opportunity plus instinct equals profit.
• 10. Greed is eternal.
• 11. Even if it's free, you can always buy it cheaper.
• 12. Anything worth selling is worth selling twice.
• 13. Anything worth doing is worth doing for money.
• 16. A deal is a deal.
• 17. A contract is a contract is a contract. But only between Ferengi.
• 18. A Ferengi without profit is no Ferengi at all.
• 19. Satisfaction is not guaranteed.
• 21. Never place friendship above profit.
• 22. A wise man can hear profit in the wind.
• 23. Nothing is more important than your health. Except for your money.
• 27. There is nothing more dangerous than an honest businessman.
• 31. Never make fun of a Ferengi's mother...Insult something he cares about instead.
• 33. It never hurts to suck up to the boss.
• 34. War is good for business.
• 35. Peace is good for business.
• 40. She can touch your lobes, but never your latinum.
• 41. Profit is its own reward.
• 44. Never confuse wisdom with luck.
• 45. Expand or die.[6] (The 95th rule is also given as "Expand or die" on one occasion.)
• 47. Never trust a man wearing a better suit than your own.
• 48. The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife.
• 50. Never bluff a Klingon.
• 52. Never ask when you can take.
• 57. Good customers are as rare as latinum. Treasure them.
• 58. There is no substitute for success.
• 59. Free advice is seldom cheap.
• 60. Keep your lies consistent.
• 62. The riskier the road, the greater the profit.
• 65. Win or lose, there's always Hupyrian beetle snuff.
• 74. Knowledge equals profit.
• 75. Home is where the heart is, but the stars are made of latinum.
• 76. Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies!
• 79. Beware of the Vulcan greed for knowledge.
• 82. The flimsier the product, the higher the price.
• 85. Never let the competition know what you're thinking.
• 89. Ask not what your profits can do for you, but what you can do for your profits.
• 94. Females and finances don't mix.
• 95. Expand or die. (The 45th rule was also given as "Expand or die" on one occasion.)
• 97. Enough... is never enough.
• 98. Every man has his price.
• 99. Trust is the biggest liability of all.
• 102. Nature decays, but latinum is forever.
• 103. Sleep can interfere with... [cut off]. (The rest of the 103rd rule was never stated onscreen as Pel was interrupted before finishing.)
• 104. Faith moves mountains... of inventory.
• 106. There is no honor in poverty.
• 109. Dignity and an empty sack is worth the sack.
• 111. Treat people in your debt like family. Exploit them.
• 112. Never have sex with the boss's sister.
• 113. Always have sex with the boss.
• 121. Everything is for sale, even friendship.
• 123. Even a blind man can recognize the glow of latinum.
• 125. You can't make a deal if you're dead.
• 139. Wives serve, brothers inherit.
• 141. Only fools pay retail.
• 144. There's nothing wrong with charity... as long as it winds up in your pocket.
• 162. Even in the worst of times, someone turns a profit.
• 168. Whisper your way to success.
• 177. Know your enemies... but do business with them always.
• 181. Not even dishonesty can tarnish the shine of profit.
• 189. Let others keep their reputation. You keep their money.
• 190. Hear all; trust nothing.
• 192. Never cheat a Klingon... unless you're sure you can get away with it.
• 194. It's always good business to know about your customers before they walk in your door.
• 202. The justification of profit is profit.
• 203. New customers are like razor-toothed Greeworms. They can be succulent, but sometimes they bite back.
• 208. Sometimes the only thing more dangerous than the question is an answer.
• 211. Employees are the rungs on the ladder of success. Don't hesitate to step on them.
• 214. Never begin a business negotiation on an empty stomach.
• 217. You can't free a fish from water.
• 218. Always know what you're buying.
• 223. Beware the man who doesn't make time for oo-mox.
• 229. Latinum lasts longer than lust.
• 236. You can't buy fate.
• 239. Never be afraid to mislabel a product.
• 242. More is good... all is better.
• 255. A wife is a luxury... a smart accountant, a necessity.
• 261. A wealthy man can afford anything except a conscience.
• 263. Never allow doubt to tarnish your lust for latinum.
• 266. When in doubt, lie.
• 284. Deep down, everyone's a Ferengi.
• 285. No good deed ever goes unpunished.