Advertisements Quote by Charlie Munger
“The ethical rule is from Samuel Johnson who believed that maintenance of easily removable ignorance by a responsible office holder was treacherous malfeasance in meeting moral obligation. The prudential rule is that underlying the old Warner & Swasey advertisement for machine tools: "The man who needs a new machine tool, and hasn't bought it, is already paying for it". The Warner & Swasey rule also applies, I believe, to thinking tools. If you don't have the right thinking tools, you, and the people you seek to help, are already suffering from your easily removable ignorance.”
About This Quote
Lack of proper mental tools leads to persistent ignorance; acquiring the right tools prevents this.
In simple terms: Missing thinking tools cause ongoing ignorance.
Key Takeaway
Seek better thinking tools.
Themes
education
ethics
decision‑making
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- personal development
- policy analysis
- teaching
Key Concepts
critical thinking
mental models
Questions to Reflect On
- What thinking tools do you need?
- How can you ensure tools are applied wisely?
A Different Perspective
Tools alone don’t guarantee correct use.
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