Yes, we were sold at auction, like swine. In a big town…
““Yes, we were sold at auction, like swine. In a big town and an active market we should have brought a good price; but this place was utterly stagnant and so we sold at a figure which makes me ashamed, every time I think of it. The King of England brought seven dollars, and his prime minister nine; whereas the king was easily worth twelve dollars and I as easily worth fifteen. But that is the way things always go; if you force a sale on a dull market, I don’t care what the property is, you are going to make a poor business of it, and you can make up your mind to it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He uses a metaphor of a stagnant market to illustrate how forced sales at low prices lead to regret, emphasizing the importance of timing and market conditions.
In simple terms: Selling in a bad market yields poor results.
Key Takeaway
Avoid rushing sales in weak markets.
Themes
economics
regret
market timing
Mood
cautionary
analytical
Type
business
financial
When to use this quote
- real estate
- art auctions
- stock sales
- business negotiations
Key Concepts
price dynamics
opportunity cost
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors should you assess before committing to a sale?
- How can you create demand in a stagnant market?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex market forces and ignore negotiation skill.