Skip to content

I think we have lost our way when people like the [board…

“I think we have lost our way when people like the [board of] governors and the CEO of the NYSE fail to realize they have a duty to the rest of us to act as exemplars... You do not want your first-grade school teacher to be fornicating on the floor or drinking booze in the classroom; similarly you…” quote by Charlie Munger
Download Open image
“I think we have lost our way when people like the [board of] governors and the CEO of the NYSE fail to realize they have a duty to the rest of us to act as exemplars... You do not want your first-grade school teacher to be fornicating on the floor or drinking booze in the classroom; similarly you do not want your stock exchange to be setting the wrong moral example.”

Charlie Munger

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Leaders must model ethical behavior; when they fail, it erodes public trust and sets harmful examples.

In simple terms: Leaders need to act as moral exemplars.

Key Takeaway

Demand integrity from leaders.

Themes

ethics leadership corporate governance

Mood

critical concerned

Type

ethical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • business ethics
  • education
  • public policy
  • community standards

Key Concepts

role‑modeling social responsibility

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you hold leaders accountable?
  • What standards should guide corporate conduct?
A Different Perspective

People may resist change despite examples.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Charlie Munger

Explore all 544 Charlie Munger quotes

More Alcohol quotes

Browse all 1,953 Alcohol quotes