--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What you really are afraid of is that…" description: "\"What you really are afraid of is that you're competing against somebody who is rich and irrational. I mean, it used to be a given, a saying in the indu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92e/john-c-malone-34443_assets_what-you-really-are-afraid-of-is-that-yo_1578319.jpg" --- # What you really are afraid of is that you're competing… ![“What you really are afraid of is that you're competing against somebody who is rich and irrational. I mean, it used to be a given, a saying in the industry: Don't ever bid against Rupert Murdoch for anything Rupert wants, because if you win you lose. You will have paid way too much.” quote by John C. Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92e/john-c-malone-34443_assets_what-you-really-are-afraid-of-is-that-yo_1578319.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92e/john-c-malone-34443_assets_what-you-really-are-afraid-of-is-that-yo_1578319.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92e/john-c-malone-34443_assets_what-you-really-are-afraid-of-is-that-yo_1578319.jpg) > “What you really are afraid of is that you're competing against somebody who is rich and irrational. I mean, it used to be a given, a saying in the industry: Don't ever bid against Rupert Murdoch for anything Rupert wants, because if you win you lose. You will have paid way too much.” [John C. Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-malone/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Competing with wealthy, irrational rivals can lead to overpaying and loss, despite potential gains. **In simple terms:** Rich rivals can force costly bids. Key Takeaway Assess risk before bidding. Themes competition risk strategy Mood cautious analytical Type strategic advisory When to use this quote - corporate acquisitions - auction bidding - investment decisions Key Concepts game theory market dynamics irrational behavior Questions to Reflect On - When is it smarter to partner than to outbid? - How can you detect irrational bidding? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on rivalry may ignore collaborative opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Competing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competing/) [Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Industry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/industry/) [Irrational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irrational/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [On the BSkyB bid, Rupert Murdoch is now in town in London seeking to sort things out. I would simply say to him, look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-clegg/on-the-bskyb-bid-rupert-murdoch-is-now-in-town-in-london-seeking-to/) [Nick Clegg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-clegg/) > [I'm afraid you leave me, really really afraid! because I love you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uknown/i-m-afraid-you-leave-me-really-really-afraid-because-i-love-you/) Uknown > [“Was I really afraid of hurting her feelings? 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They are just afraid of the word 'nationalism.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexei-navalny/people-aren-t-really-afraid-of-my-views-they-are-just-afraid-of-the/) [Alexei Navalny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexei-navalny/) > [“When your afraid, really afraid, you see things you never saw before, you pay attention to the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/when-your-afraid-really-afraid-you-see-things-you-never-saw-before/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Everyone is going to be afraid sometimes. Then you ask yourself, "What am I really afraid of?" Then you can address it, because there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cullen/everyone-is-going-to-be-afraid-sometimes-then-you-ask-yourself-what/) [Matt Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cullen/) ## More by John C. 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Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-malone/) > [Synergies are something that the CEO basically has to force to happen, because organizations are, generally, like bodies in motion that tend to stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-malone/synergies-are-something-that-the-ceo-basically-has-to-force-to-happen/) [John C. Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-malone/) > [You just have to be opportunistic, and try to figure out what creates value.. where the bottom is, what creates incremental value, and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-malone/you-just-have-to-be-opportunistic-and-try-to-figure-out-what-creates/) [John C. Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-malone/) > [Synergy is the driver. There are two levels of synergy: there are operating synergies, which, you know, you'd have to be stupid not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-malone/synergy-is-the-driver-there-are-two-levels-of-synergy-there-are/) [John C. 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Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-malone/) > [It will allow us to control all the communication needs of a household with one device.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-malone/it-will-allow-us-to-control-all-the-communication-needs-of-a/) [John C. Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-malone/) [Explore all 14 John C. Malone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-malone/) ## More Assets quotes > [A great smile is a wonderful asset, but a good heart is pure gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/a-great-smile-is-a-wonderful-asset-but-a-good-heart-is-pure-gold/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [Most people put money in their piggy bank. I buy a goose that lays golden eggs over and over again. 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England does have important assets. Naturally the longer you wait, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/why-doesn-t-the-united-states-take-over-the-monarchy-and-unite-with/) [W. H. 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My regrets will be more along the lines of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/when-i-die-i-will-decidedly-not-be-regretting-missed-opportunities/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [Sourav's greatest asset is his ability to communicate. He is a naturally very confident person. 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