--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every business tries to turn this year's…" description: "\"Every business tries to turn this year's success into next year's greater success. It's hard for me to see why Microsoft is sinful to do this. If it's ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b08/charlie-munger-458_bigs_every-business-tries-to-turn-this-year-s_813334.jpg" --- # Every business tries to turn this year's success into next… ![“Every business tries to turn this year's success into next year's greater success. It's hard for me to see why Microsoft is sinful to do this. If it's a sin, then I hope all of Berkshire Hathaway's subsidiaries are sinners. Someone whose salary is paid by U.S.taxpayers is happy to dramatically…” quote by Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b08/charlie-munger-458_bigs_every-business-tries-to-turn-this-year-s_813334.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b08/charlie-munger-458_bigs_every-business-tries-to-turn-this-year-s_813334.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b08/charlie-munger-458_bigs_every-business-tries-to-turn-this-year-s_813334.jpg) > “Every business tries to turn this year's success into next year's greater success. It's hard for me to see why Microsoft is sinful to do this. If it's a sin, then I hope all of Berkshire Hathaway's subsidiaries are sinners. Someone whose salary is paid by U.S.taxpayers is happy to dramatically weaken the one place where we're winning big?!” [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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. He questions the practice of perpetually expanding success, implying it can become unethical when driven by greed or public money. **In simple terms:** Chasing endless growth may be morally questionable. Key Takeaway Beware of profit motives that exploit public funds. Themes ethics business growth public responsibility greed Mood critical skeptical reflective Type advice cautionary When to use this quote - corporate strategy - public sector budgeting - investment decisions - political accountability Key Concepts capitalism moral hazard stakeholder theory Questions to Reflect On - Is all expansion inherently sinful? - How can companies balance profit with public trust? A Different Perspective The quote assumes all growth is negative, ignoring benefits of innovation and competition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Berkshire Hathaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/berkshire-hathaway-286026/) [Bigs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Microsoft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/microsoft/) [Microsoft Sinful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/microsoft-sinful-286025/) [Next](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next/) [Next year](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next-year/) [Paid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paid/) [Salary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/salary/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Sinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sinner/) [Subsidiaries Sinners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subsidiaries-sinners-286028/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Taxpayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taxpayers/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turns/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) [Winning Big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning-big-286027/) [Year Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/year-success-286029/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [ Wesco had a market capitalization of $40 million when we bought it \[in the early 1970s\]. It's $2 billion now. It's been a long… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/wesco-had-a-market-capitalization-of-40-million-when-we-bought-it-in/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [Size will hurt returns. Look at Berkshire Hathaway - the last five things Warren has done have generated returns that are splendid by historical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/size-will-hurt-returns-look-at-berkshire-hathaway-the-last-five/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [I'm a bull on Berkshire Hathaway. There may be some considerable waiting, but I think there are some good days ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/i-m-a-bull-on-berkshire-hathaway-there-may-be-some-considerable/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [I’d say that Berkshire Hathaway’s system is adapting to the nature of the investment problem as it really is. We’ve really made the money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/i-d-say-that-berkshire-hathaway-s-system-is-adapting-to-the-nature-of/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [At Berkshire Hathaway we do not like to compete against Chinese manufacturers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/at-berkshire-hathaway-we-do-not-like-to-compete-against-chinese/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [I'm proud to be associated with the value system at Berkshire Hathaway; I think you'll make more money in the end with good ethics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/i-m-proud-to-be-associated-with-the-value-system-at-berkshire/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [Winning is a big priority for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-fried/winning-is-a-big-priority-for-me/) [Max Fried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-fried/) > [I remain committed to playing all three formats for England and to winning big series.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jofra-archer/i-remain-committed-to-playing-all-three-formats-for-england-and-to/) [Jofra Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jofra-archer/) > [Once you start winning big titles, you don't want to stop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodri/once-you-start-winning-big-titles-you-don-t-want-to-stop/) [Rodri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodri/) > [When I start winning big tournaments I don't think I'll just win tournaments, I think I'll blow them away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-lewis/when-i-start-winning-big-tournaments-i-don-t-think-i-ll-just-win/) [Adrian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-lewis/) > [You have to pick up things from the big teams, who are always in finals and winning big trophies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudio-bravo/you-have-to-pick-up-things-from-the-big-teams-who-are-always-in/) [Claudio Bravo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudio-bravo/) > [This year its just about winning the big matches because if youre going to get into the top 20 then youve got to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/this-year-its-just-about-winning-the-big-matches-because-if-youre/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [Scouting and player development is the key to year-in and year-out success, not the occasional lucky hit. There are no definitive answers in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/scouting-and-player-development-is-the-key-to-year-in-and-year-out/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [Winning big Tours and stage races is often about pain management.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddy-merckx/winning-big-tours-and-stage-races-is-often-about-pain-management/) [Eddy Merckx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddy-merckx/) > [Being number one is different from winning a big title. Number one is when you worked one whole year to get to this point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jannik-sinner/being-number-one-is-different-from-winning-a-big-title-number-one-is/) [Jannik Sinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jannik-sinner/) ## More by Charlie Munger > [Almost all good businesses engage in 'pain today, gain tomorrow' activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/almost-all-good-businesses-engage-in-pain-today-gain-tomorrow/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [If you want good behavior, don't pay on a commission basis. Our judges aren't paid so much a case. We keep them pretty well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/if-you-want-good-behavior-don-t-pay-on-a-commission-basis-our-judges/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [Acquire worldly wisdom and adjust your behavior accordingly. If your new behavior gives you a little temporary unpopularity with your peer group then to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/acquire-worldly-wisdom-and-adjust-your-behavior-accordingly-if-your/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [I think time and time again, in reality, psychological notions and economic notions interplay, and the man who doesn't understand both is a damned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/i-think-time-and-time-again-in-reality-psychological-notions-and/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [I have what I call an iron prescription that helps me keep sane when I naturally drift toward preferring one ideology over another and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/i-have-what-i-call-an-iron-prescription-that-helps-me-keep-sane-when/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [The tax code gives you an enormous advantage if you can find some things you can just sit with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/the-tax-code-gives-you-an-enormous-advantage-if-you-can-find-some/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [The great lesson in microeconomics is to discriminate between when technology is going to help you and when it's going to kill you. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/the-great-lesson-in-microeconomics-is-to-discriminate-between-when/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [Some years ago one oil company bought a fertilizer company, and every other major oil company practically ran out and bought a fertilizer company.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/some-years-ago-one-oil-company-bought-a-fertilizer-company-and-every/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [ They \[Mc Donalds\] take people and give them a first job, which enables them to get a second job. They do a very good… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/they-mc-donalds-take-people-and-give-them-a-first-job-which-enables/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [What good is envy? It’s the one sin you can’t have any fun at.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/what-good-is-envy-it-s-the-one-sin-you-can-t-have-any-fun-at/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [We believe that almost all really good investment records will involve relatively little diversification. The basic idea that it was hard to find good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/we-believe-that-almost-all-really-good-investment-records-will/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [It is way less certain to be a wonderful business in the future. The threat is alternative mediums of information. Every newspaper is scrambling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/it-is-way-less-certain-to-be-a-wonderful-business-in-the-future-the/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [In the corporate world, if you have analysts, due diligence, and no horse sense, you've just described hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/in-the-corporate-world-if-you-have-analysts-due-diligence-and-no/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [We have to have a special insight, or we'll put it in the 'too tough' basket. All of you have to look for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/we-have-to-have-a-special-insight-or-we-ll-put-it-in-the-too-tough/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [I've heard that one-half of the students at elite schools want to go into private equity or hedge funds. They want to keep up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/i-ve-heard-that-one-half-of-the-students-at-elite-schools-want-to-go/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Explore all 544 Charlie Munger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) ## More Bigs quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [I'm a true believer in prayer, a big believer in prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-jackson/i-m-a-true-believer-in-prayer-a-big-believer-in-prayer/) [Janet Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-jackson/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [The only regret I have in my career, is my managers wanted a big payday, and I wanted four or five more fights before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-cooney/the-only-regret-i-have-in-my-career-is-my-managers-wanted-a-big/) [Gerry Cooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-cooney/) > [It goes to show you how we in the press so often miss the big stories that are right under our noses. There is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/it-goes-to-show-you-how-we-in-the-press-so-often-miss-the-big-stories/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) > [Okay, so I'll admit I'm curious. Big deal. We both know what that leads to. Dead cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/okay-so-i-ll-admit-i-m-curious-big-deal-we-both-know-what-that-leads/) [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/) > [I don't want this to be a distraction. This has been distracting enough. I'm not going to rehash this going forward. I'm sure other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-werth/i-don-t-want-this-to-be-a-distraction-this-has-been-distracting/) [Jayson Werth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-werth/) > [I didn't get how big it was until I went home, turned on the television and saw it on all the news, and later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/i-didn-t-get-how-big-it-was-until-i-went-home-turned-on-the/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [It’s a small thing to help one animal, but to that one animal it’s a big thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-baur/it-s-a-small-thing-to-help-one-animal-but-to-that-one-animal-it-s-a/) [Gene Baur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-baur/) > [Since I was a little child, my nose - I think it's too big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celine-dion/since-i-was-a-little-child-my-nose-i-think-it-s-too-big/) [Celine Dion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celine-dion/) > [People forget that there is a big difference between coercion and persuasion. The idea that evangelism is coercive is nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dever/people-forget-that-there-is-a-big-difference-between-coercion-and/) [Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-dever/) > [I turn a lot of stuff down - big, big movies, the kind I wouldn't want to go to the cinema to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/i-turn-a-lot-of-stuff-down-big-big-movies-the-kind-i-wouldn-t-want-to/) [Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/) > [I got in trouble my whole life for having a big mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-tyler/i-got-in-trouble-my-whole-life-for-having-a-big-mouth/) [Steven Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-tyler/) [Browse all 15,539 Bigs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Every business tries to turn this year's success into next year's greater success. 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