We can forgive capitalism, democracy, and technology for giving us what we want, but not for showing us what we want.
Getting
You never find people endeavoring to convince you that you may live very happily upon a plentiful fortune.
–Johnson
Money makes all things possible, such as not caring about money.
It is difficult, when you are poor and obscure, to persuade anyone of your indifference to wealth and fame.
The lottery ticket is cheap, it’s the hope that’s expensive.
The shrewdest strivers all profess a deep and abiding respect for intellect, provided it keeps its distance.
With his philanthropy the tycoon assuages his guilt for the good he has done with his business.
The Four Irrational Beliefs of Highly Effective People
1. Optimism
2. Control
3. Forecasting ability
4. All-around superiority
The usual fantasy life is only a deluxe version of the actual one.
The contemporary businessman cares only for art, and the contemporary artist only for money.
If the efficient-market hypothesis were true, someone would have thought of it before Fama.