Investment Advice from an Old Bastard

I know a lot on here are interested in investment, inflation and interest rates, I was reading this today and the observations that Charlie Munger makes is something that many ....lets say older people feel with todays generation's and the ultimate advice they are given.

Take from it what you will but it is a good read regardless.

At 98-years-old, Charlie Munger still delivers the one-liners

Charlie Munger has been investing with Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway since 1978. While Warren hosts the company’s Annual Shareholder Meetings, answering questions for hours, it is Charlie who delivers the acerbic wit. Given his wealth and age, nobody and nothing is off limits, sometimes to Warren’s chagrin. It makes for fine entertainment when he is prepared to speak the truth that others avoid.

Charlie was born on 1 January 1924, and to mark his 98th birthday, some of his one-liners are collected on this video. As the introduction says:

“Charlie Munger isn't just one of the greatest investors who has ever lived, he is also one of the few brilliant minds who basically has no filter. When he sees something which he thinks is wrongdoing or stupid, he just can't help but being opinionated and speak up about it.”

Let ‘er rip, Charlie

“Those of you who are about to enter business school or are there, I recommend you learn to do it our way but at least until you're out of school, you have to pretend to do it their way.”

“Warren, if people weren't so often wrong, we wouldn't be so rich.”

“I think you would understand any presentation using the word EBITDA, if every time you saw that word, you just substituted the phrase ‘bullshit earnings’.”

“I'm optimistic about life. I can be optimistic when I’m nearly dead. Surely the rest of you can handle a little inflation.”

“The best way to get what you want in life is to deserve what you want. How could it be otherwise? It's not crazy enough so that the world is looking for a lot of undeserving people to reward.”

“Everybody wants fiscal virtue but not quite yet. They're like that guy who felt that way about sex. He’s willing to give it up but not quite yet.”

“Well, you don't want to be like the motion picture executive in California. They said the funeral was so large because everybody wanted to make sure he was dead.”

“It was investment banker-aided fraud. Not exactly novel.”

“Sure, there are a lot of things in life way more important than wealth. All that said, some people do get confused. I play golf with a man he says, ‘What good is health, you can't buy money with it.’"

“Well, there are a lot of things I don't think about and one of them is companies that are losing $2-3 billion a year and going public.”

“In accounting, you can do things like they do in Italy when they have trouble with the mail. It piles up and irritates the postal employees. They just throw away a few cartloads and everything flows smoothly.”

“The general system for money management requires people to pretend that they can do something that they can't do, and to pretend to like it when they really don't. I think that's a terrible way to spend your life, but it's very well paid.”

“I can't give you a formulaic approach because I don't use one. If you want a formula, you should go back to graduate school. They'll give you lots of formulas that won't work.”

“As Samuel Johnson said famously, ‘I can give you an argument, but I can't give you an understanding.’"

“It's perfectly obvious, at least to me, that to say that derivative accounting in America is a sewer is an insult to sewage.”

“Competency is a relative concept. And what a lot of us need, including the one speaking when I needed to get ahead, was to compete against idiots. And luckily, there's a large supply."

“I don't like multi-tasking. I see these people doing three things at once and I think, what a terrible way that is to think.”

“I like cryptocurrency currencies a lot less than you do. And I think that professional traders who go into trading cryptocurrencies, it's just disgusting. It's like somebody else is trading turds and you decide ‘I can't be left out.'"

“Once I asked a man who just left a large investment bank and I said, ‘How's your firm make its money?’ He said, 'Off the top, off the bottom, off both sides and in the middle.'"

“Well, I would rather throw a viper down my shirt front than hire a compensation consultant.”

“I think I'm offended enough.”

 

You need to be a member of 1Eyed Eel to add comments!

Join 1Eyed Eel

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

                  • You guys seen the old Fryers Club Roasts?

                  • She features in the roast that Krupty put up....legend comedian that everyone wanted to take the piss out of.

            • We know what drum you hold the beat to when you go to bed at night Seth.LOL

              I always remember Ava Gardner being interviewed after the film made in Mellbourne, "On the Beach" in 1959.....I was quiet young then so I must have read in a later book.....but her quote always stuck in my mind when she said if the end of the world was going to happen it would be most appropriately Melbourne, implying it was the arsehole of the world!

          • Thanks Pops I will put them on my watch list.I like historical war  films. This one is interesting Munich The Edge of War. The politics of war  and deception

             

        • Thought you would enjoy it Tad,

          I also stuffed the rest of the post trying to correct the date from 1983 to 1883 an old style western prequell to Kevin Costner's Yellowstone. Stars Sam Elliott.

          Also recommend Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos (Kidman) is brilliant in it.

          Finally another show I really enjoyed was "Finch" a Tom hanks film about a guy dying and building a robot to look after his dog.....I cried unashamably at the end............. I read a review that said it lacked originality LOL

  • Charlie and Warren are legends, No doubt. From 1964 to 2020, Berkshire's stock delivered a compound annual growth rate of 20%. In comparison, the S&P 500 Index generated an annualized gain of 10.2% -- including dividends.

     Things are changing rapidly. If someone bragged they made 20% pa to the average Defi Degen they would be pretty unimpressed. That represents an OK week for the competent.

This reply was deleted.

Latest comments

Coryn Hughes replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"Above our pay grade LB that's what JR gets paid the big bucks for.
Like I mentioned if Smith is still garnering the majority of the minutes year end I think the answers simple.You pay Smith and if TDS wants to explore options elsewhere cut bait and…"
4 minutes ago
Angry Eel replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"I agree TDS definitely features in our best 17 but we've got to get him right for the back half of the year. I don't think playing 15mins tops off the bench is doing any favours atm. A little time in NSW cup honing his craft will do him wonders I…"
22 minutes ago
Longfin Eel replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Who Said Trials Mean Nothing?
"It's not so much the result in trials, but what you did to get there. Parra showed that they are up for a challenge, especially coming from behind to win. That's what would excite Ryles at the moment. Not winning trial games, not even winning the…"
37 minutes ago
Longfin Eel replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"I reckon when Ryles signed TDS last year he didn't think that Smith had what it takes to be a topline dummy half. It would be interesting to see what his thoughts are now, as Smith has come on in leaps and bounds. I think Parra definitely is better…"
45 minutes ago
Muttman replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Who Said Trials Mean Nothing?
"Trial form means nothing but it certainly doesn't hurt to win either. I mean that's precisely what both teams are trying to do in a trial match. Winning is infectious. "
1 hour ago
KingGutho replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"1: I Longi
2: B Simonson 
3: S Russell 
4: W Penisini
5: J Addo Carr
6: J Pezet
7: M Moses
8: Jr Paulo
9: R Smith
10: J Hopgood
11: J Williams
12: K Kautoga 
13: D Walker
 
14: TDS
15: J De Belin ( front row / lock )
16: S Tuivita ( front row )
17:…"
3 hours ago
Michael W. replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"You're comparing chalk and cheese, two totally different players."
7 hours ago
parra supporter replied to Acme's discussion Another Matterson Concussion
"Sort. Of- think the year for footballer start November so it be the remaining 3/4 I.e. if on. 600K 450 cap relief"
7 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"Thats a good side bem. Joash looked more confident and stronger in the trials, and his quick footwork really confused the opposition. If he's on the bench he needs to get onto the park"
10 hours ago
Yehez replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"Iongi; JAC, Russell, Penisini, Simonsson; Pezet, Moses;
Hopgood, Smith, Paulo; Williams, Kautoga; Doorey. 
Bench: Da Silva, Tuivati, De Belin, Walker, Samrani, Papalii. "
11 hours ago
BEM replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm

1. Iongi 
2. JAC
3. Russell 
4. Penisini
5. Simo 
6. Papali'i 
7. Moses
8. Paulo 
9. Smith
10. Williams 
11. Tuilagi 
12. Kautoga 
13. Hopgood
14. Walker
15. Tuivaiti
16. Dorey
17. Samrani 
18. Da Silva "
11 hours ago
LB replied to Roy tannous's discussion Matto most likely gonna medically retire
"Pappy as in Papenhuyzen? When we have Iongi signed til 2030?"
12 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Roy tannous's discussion Matto most likely gonna medically retire
"huh?...do wkat now?"
12 hours ago
Make Parra Great Again replied to Roy tannous's discussion Matto most likely gonna medically retire
"once he is retired, Pappy comes in into take his top 30 spot... u heard it here first"
12 hours ago
ParraPride replied to Roy tannous's discussion Matto most likely gonna medically retire
"Get rid of him!"
12 hours ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"But how long is he willing to give himself? If Smith is still starting by the end of 2027 and he is extended with intent to start in 2028, what will Da Silva do then?I would love to know if Ryles intent is for Da Silva to eventually be the starting…"
13 hours ago
More…

Keaon done deal

As of Thursday, December 11, 2025, South Sydney Rabbitohs forwardKeaon Koloamatangi has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Parramatta Eels, but it is not yet officially announced by the clubs.  Soon to be announced.

Read more…
14 Replies · Reply by Poppa Jan 9
Views: 2099

 

Melbourne's Matterson offer

So it becomes more clearer, the $300k offered from Melbourne included $211,000 of that going towards Matterson's contract and $89,000 as a transfer fee. Instead of what we thought of $300k transfer fee and maybe taking Matto as well. So many felt…

Read more…
5 Replies · Reply by Randy Handlinger 23 hours ago
Views: 935

<script src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- Sidebar -->
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<script>// <![CDATA[
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
// ]]></script>