Nick Perry argues that how you appear matters more than what you actually are. Walk like a king, speak with certainty, buy things that look expensive. People follow the image, not the truth underneath.
Never look poor, even if you are. Appearance is more powerful than reality. People respect what they see, not what is true. Display strength and wealth and they will respect you. Reveal a single weakness and they will crush you. You don't need to buy expensive things. You only need to buy things that look expensive. Society doesn't investigate, it assumes. They don't follow substance, they follow the illusion of it. So walk like a king and they will treat you like one. Speak with certainty and they will believe you. Hold the answers. Society rewards your image and reputation.