View source for Rules of Acquisition

The first Rules of Acquisition, codifying [[Ferengi]] culture for millennia to follow, were written by [[Grand Nagus]] [[Gint]].<ref name="BodyParts"/> Ferengi children were expected to memorize all 285 rules of acquisition on command,<ref name="Nagus"/> though females were forbidden to do so<ref name="Rules"/> prior to Grand Nagus [[Zek]]'s reforms of the 2370s.<sup>[Citation needed]</sup>

* 1. Once you have their money, you never give it back.<ref name="Nagus"/>
* 3. Never spend more for an acquisition than you have to.<ref name="Maquis1"/>
* 6. Never allow family to stand in the way of opportunity.<ref name="Nagus"/>
* 7. Keep your ears open.<ref name="HandsProphets"/>
* 8. Small print leads to large risk.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 9. Opportunity plus instinct equals profit.<ref name="Storyteller"/>
* 10. Greed is eternal.<ref name="ProphetMotive"/>
* 13. Anything worth doing is worth doing for money.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 16. A deal is a deal...<ref name="Melora"/> until a better one comes along.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 17. A contract is a contract is a contract. But only between Ferengi.<ref name="BodyParts"/>
* 18. A Ferengi without profit is no Ferengi at all.<ref name="HeartStone"/>
* 19. Satisfaction is not guaranteed.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 21. Never place friendship above profit.<ref name="Rules"/>
* 22. A wise man can hear profit in the wind.<ref name="Rules"/>
* 27. There's nothing more dangerous than an honest businessman.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 31. Never make fun of a Ferengi's mother...<ref name="Siege"/> insult something he cares about instead.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 33. It never hurts to suck up to the boss.<ref name="Rules"/>
* 34. War is good for business.<ref name="Destiny"/>
* 35. Peace is good for business.<ref name="Destiny"/>
* 40. She can touch your lobes, but never your latinum.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 41. Profit is its own reward.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 44. Never confuse wisdom with luck.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 47. Don't trust a man wearing a better suit than your own.<ref name="Rivals"/>
* 48. The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife.<ref name="Rules"/>
* 52. Never ask when you can take.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 53. Never trust anybody taller than you.<ref name="RaiseDawn"/>
* 54. Rate divided by time equals profit.<ref name="RaiseDawn"/>
* 55. Take joy from profit, and profit from joy.<ref name="RaiseDawn"/>
* 57. Good customers are rare as latinum. Treasure them.<ref name="ArmageddonGame"/>
* 58. There is no substitute for success.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 59. Free advice is seldom cheap.<ref name="Rules"/>
* 60. Keep your lies consistent.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 62. The riskier the road, the greater the profit.<ref name="Rules"/>
* 65. Win or lose, there's always Huyperian beetle snuff.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 75. Home is where the heart is... but the stars are made of latinum.<ref name="CivilDefense"/>
* 76. Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies!<ref name="Homecoming"/>
* 79. Beware of the Vulcan greed for knowledge.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 82. The flimsier the product, the higher the price.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 85. Never let the competition know what you're thinking.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 89. Ask not what your profits can do for you, but what you can do for your profits.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 94. Females and finances don't mix.<sup>[<a href="#21">21</a>, <a href="#29">29</a>]</sup>
* 95. Expand or die.<ref name="FalseProfits"/>
* 97. Enough... is never enough.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 98. Every man has his price.<ref name="Moonlight"/>
* 99. Trust is the biggest liability of all.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 102. Nature decays, but latinum lasts forever.<ref name="JemHadar"/>
* 103. Sleep can interfere with... (ending unknown)<ref name="Rules"/>
* 104. Faith moves mountains... of inventory.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 106. There is no honor in poverty.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 109. Dignity and an empty sack is worth the sack.<ref name="Rivals"/>
* 111. Treat people in your debt like family... exploit them.<sup>[<a href="#17">17</a>, <a href="#26">26</a>]</sup>
* 112. Never have sex with the boss's sister.<ref name="PlayingGod"/>
* 113. Always have sex with the boss.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 117. You can't free a fish from water.<ref name="FRoA"/> <em>(See also: Rule 217)</em>
* 121. Everything is for sale, even friendship.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 123. Even a blind man can recognize the glow of latinum.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 125. You can't make a deal if you're dead.<ref name="AR558"/>
* 139. Wives serve, brothers inherit.<ref name="Evil"/>
* 141. Only fools pay retail.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 144. There's nothing wrong with charity... as long as it ends up in <em>your</em> pocket.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 162. Even in the worst times, someone turns a profit.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 177. Know your enemies... but do business with them always.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 181. Not even dishonesty can tarnish the shine of profit.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 189. Let others keep their reputation. You keep their money.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 190. Hear all, trust nothing.<ref name="CalltoArms"/>
* 192. Never cheat a Klingon... unless you're sure you can get away with it.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 194. It's always good business to know about your customers before they walk in your door.<ref name="Whispers"/>
* 202. The justification for profit is profit.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 203. New customers are like razor-toothed gree-worms. They can be succulent, but sometimes they bite back.<ref name="GreenMen"/>
* 211. Employees are the rungs on the ladder of success. Don't hesitate to step on them.<ref name="BarAssn"/>
* 214. Never begin a business negotiation on an empty stomach.<ref name="Maquis1"/>
* 217. You can't free a fish from water.<ref name="PastTense1"/> <em>(See also: Rule 117)</em>
* 218. Always know what you're buying.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 223. Beware the man who doesn't make time for <em>oo-mox</em>.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 229. Latinum lasts longer than lust.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 236. You can't buy fate.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 239. Never be afraid to mislabel a product.<ref name="BodyParts"/>
* 242. More is good... all is better.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 255. A wife is a luxury... a smart accountant a necessity.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 261. A wealthy man can afford anything except a conscience.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 263. Never allow doubt to tarnish your lust for latinum.<ref name="BarAssn"/>
* 266. When in doubt, lie.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 284. Deep down everyone's a Ferengi.<ref name="FRoA"/>
* 285. No good deed ever goes unpunished.<sup>[<a href="#14">14</a>, <a href="#30">30</a>]</sup>
* Unk. Exploitation begins at home.<sup>[Citation needed]</sup>

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="Nagus">"[[The Nagus (Episode)|The Nagus]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 411. Television. 22 March 1993.</ref>
<ref name="Storyteller">"[[The Storyteller (Episode)|The Storyteller]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 414. Television. 3 May 1993.</ref>
<ref name="HandsProphets">"[[In the Hands of the Prophets (Episode)|In the Hands of the Prophets]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 420. Television. 21 June 1993.</ref>
<ref name="Homecoming">"[[The Homecoming (Episode)|The Homecoming]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 421. Television. 27 September 1993.</ref>
<ref name="Siege">"[[The Siege (Episode)|The Siege]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 423. Television. 11 October 1993.</ref>
<ref name="Melora">"[[Melora (Episode)|Melora]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 426. Television. 1 November 1993.</ref>
<ref name="Rules">"[[Rules of Acquisition (Episode)|Rules of Acquisition]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 427. Television. 8 November 1993.</ref>
<ref name="Evil">"[[Necessary Evil (Episode)|Necessary Evil]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 428. Television. 15 November 1993.</ref>
<ref name="Rivals">"[[Rivals (Episode)|Rivals]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 431. Television. 3 January 1994.</ref>
<ref name="ArmageddonGame">"[[Armageddon Game (Episode)|Armageddon Game]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 433. Television. 31 January 1994.</ref>
<ref name="Whispers">"[[Whispers (Episode)|Whispers]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 434. Television. 7 February 1994.</ref>
<ref name="PlayingGod">"[[PlayingGod (Episode)|Playing God]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 437. Television. 28 February 1994.</ref>
<ref name="Maquis1">"[[The Maquis, Part I (Episode)|The Maquis, Part I]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 440. Television. 25 April 1994.</ref>
<ref name="JemHadar">"[[The Jem'Hadar (Episode)|The Jem'Hadar]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 446. Television. 13 June 1994.</ref>
<ref name="CivilDefense">"[[Civil Defense (Episode)|Civil Defense]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 453. Television. 7 November 1994.</ref>
<ref name="PastTense1">"[[Past Tense, Part I (Episode)|Past Tense, Part I]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 457. Television. 2 January 1995.</ref>
<ref name="HeartStone">"[[Heart of Stone (Episode)|Heart of Stone]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 460. Television. 6 February 1995.</ref>
<ref name="Destiny">"[[Destiny (Episode)|Destiny]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 461. Television. 13 February 1995.</ref>
<ref name="ProphetMotive">"[[Prophet Motive (Episode)|Prophet Motive]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 462. Television. 20 February 1995.</ref>
<ref name="FRoA">"[[The Ferengi Rules of Acquisition (Book)|The Ferengi Rules of Acquisition]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]].'' Book. July 1995.</ref>
<ref name="GreenMen">"[[Little Green Men (Episode)|Little Green Men]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 480. Television. 6 November 1995.</ref>
<ref name="BarAssn">"[[Bar Association (Episode)|Bar Association]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 488. Television. 19 February 1996.</ref>
<ref name="BodyParts">"[[Body Parts (Episode)|Body Parts]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 497. Television. 10 June 1996.</ref>
<ref name="FalseProfits">"[[False Profits (Episode)|False Profits]]." ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]],'' Episode 144. Television. 2 October 1996.</ref>
<ref name="CalltoArms">"[[Call to Arms (Episode)|Call to Arms]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 524. Television. 16 June 1997.</ref>
<ref name="Moonlight">"[[In the Pale Moonlight (Episode)|In the Pale Moonlight]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 543. Television. 13 April 1998.</ref>
<ref name="AR558">"[[The Siege of AR-558 (Episode)|The Siege of AR-558]]." ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]],'' Episode 558. Television. 16 November 1998.</ref>
<ref name="RaiseDawn">"[[Raise the Dawn (Novel)|Raise the Dawn]]." ''[[Star Trek: Typhon Pact]],'' Book 7. Novel. June 2012.</ref>
</references>