
Tao of Charlie Munger: A Compilation of Quotes from Berkshire Hathaway's Vice Chairman on Life, Business, and the Pursuit of Wealth with Commentary by David Clark
Posted by jack_miller | Published 10 months ago

With 76 ratings
By: David Clark, Arthur Morey, et al.
Purchased At: $24.00
Words of wisdom from Charlie Munger - Warren Buffett's longtime business partner and the visionary Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway - collected and interpreted with an eye towards investing by David Clark, coauthor of the best-selling Buffettology series.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1924 Charlie Munger studied mathematics at the University of Michigan, trained as a meteorologist at Cal Tech Pasadena while in the Army, and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School without ever earning an undergraduate degree. Today, Munger is one of America's most successful investors, the Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, and Warren Buffett's business partner for almost 40 years. Buffett says "Berkshire has been built to Charlie's blueprint. My role has been that of general contractor." Munger is an intelligent, opinionated business man whose ideas can teach professional and amateur investors how to be successful in finance and life.
Like The Tao of Warren Buffett and The Tao of Te Ching, The Tao of Charlie Munger is a compendium of pithy quotes including, "Knowing what you don't know is more useful than being brilliant" and "In my whole life, I have known no wise people who didn't read all the time - none, zero." This collection, culled from interviews, speeches, and questions and answers at the Berkshire Hathaway and Wesco annual meetings, offers insights into Munger's amazing financial success and life philosophies. Described by Business Insider as "sharp in his wit and investing wisdom," Charlie Munger's investment tips, business philosophy, and rules for living are as unique as his life story; intelligent as he clearly is; and as successful as he has been.
The reference to Taoism is equally apt when it comes to the format of the book. Just as Lao-tzu, the Taoist collection of saying and proverbs, this is a commented assortment of quotations where David Clark, co-writer of the many Buffettology books does the observing and deciphering of the wise musings of the old master. Buffett obviously has a wonderful way with words but I have always enjoyed Munger’s shorter, sharper and more cynical statements more and Clark has done us all a huge service collecting these quotes. It is a book possible to read in one, albeit long, sitting – but please don’t. Take the time to scribble down how Munger’s thoughts reflect on your investments, business and being. Does this make sense to you? If so, how are you living up to it? What can you change? What can you improve?
The selected quotations are grouped into four parts covering investing, banking and the economy, business and philosophizing on life at large. Sections one and three are delivered with authority and Ben Graham’s saying that investing is the most intelligent when it is most businesslike springs to mind. At the same time the investing of Munger and Berkshire Hathaway is hardly unknown material due to the vast coverage of Buffett’s investing success.
The danger with adding commentary is that it isn’t always better to say something in a lengthier format when it has already been delivered crisp and clear in a short pitchy way. There is a balance to be kept to not over-explain things. Clark is mostly on the right side of the tracks but he delivers rather similar explanations to many of the quotes and is forced to add quite a few “as we have said earlier”.
Further, just as it comes to later commentary of, say old Taoist texts, it is always possible to debate if the interpretation of the original scriptures from one specific scholar is optimal. Occasionally I would have chosen to make alternative reflections. I think the selection of quotes Clark has made is a good one. Perhaps it could have hade been tilted a tad more towards psychology given Munger’s wisdom in the area. There are few real gems missing apart from this favorite on investing “It’s not supposed to be easy. Anyone who finds it easy is stupid.” – a typical Mungerism in it’s lack of flattery.
The second part of the book is the least interesting - but every time one hears figures about the gross exposure of global derivatives one marvels. The best and most inspiring part is the fourth, on Life, Education and the Pursuit of Happiness. Below are some of our favorites. “Being rational is a moral imperative. You should never be stupider than you need to be”; “Spend each day trying to be a little wiser than you were when you woke up. Discharge your duties faithfully and well. Slug it out one inch at a time, day by day. At the end of the day – if you live long enough – most people get what they deserve” and especially close to our heart “In my whole life, I have known no wise people who didn’t read all the time – none, zero. You’d be amazed at how much Warren reads – and how much I read. My children laugh at me. They think I’m a book with a couple of legs sticking out.” Amen. If you ever find yourself hesitating over a decision, simply ask yourself “What would Charlie Munger do?”
This is a review by investingbythebooks.com
Some readers may not like the 'torn edge' finish on the pages (or do I have an ex-review copy' but the binding is good and the content valuable.
Charlie Munger spends much of his time in the country club card room. Even though he comes from a different continent and culture and race and social strata I can understand and fully appreciate the world he comes from.
I to used to accompany my grandmother as a little child on her daily routine in the cantonment club card room during the summer holidays. It was a world of good manners, politeness and afternoon tea served with tasty snacks and swear words and abusive language were never uttered. A world far removed from the dealing rooms and bucket shops of Wall Street with their "get rich quick" culture.
Come da descrizione Il libro è di tipo "rough cut" o "edge deckle", (vedi foto) l'effetto tutto sommato non dispiace
Forse si può trarre vantaggio da qualche consiglio, ma personalmente alla dicitura "ognuno di noi dovrebbe avere sempre 1 milione di dollari in banca" ho deciso di smettere di leggelo.
Muitos das citações estão perdidas no meio do livro, sem contexto.
Querer se intitular um "TAO" é muita pretensão, não chega perto.
Ich kann es allen Fans von Berkshire empfehlen.
5 Sterne, Top!
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The best thing about this book is it describes the core principles that everyone should have