--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was vehemently against acquisitions…" description: "\"I was vehemently against acquisitions. Now let's buy everything in sight. Well, that's a slight exaggeration. We are a little more strategic than that...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/larry-ellison-3963_acquisition_i-was-vehemently-against-acquisitions-no_3174078.jpg" --- # I was vehemently against acquisitions. Now let's buy… ![“I was vehemently against acquisitions. Now let's buy everything in sight. Well, that's a slight exaggeration. We are a little more strategic than that. But everything was on sale.” quote by Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/larry-ellison-3963_acquisition_i-was-vehemently-against-acquisitions-no_3174078.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/larry-ellison-3963_acquisition_i-was-vehemently-against-acquisitions-no_3174078.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/larry-ellison-3963_acquisition_i-was-vehemently-against-acquisitions-no_3174078.jpg) > “I was vehemently against acquisitions. Now let's buy everything in sight. Well, that's a slight exaggeration. We are a little more strategic than that. But everything was on sale.” [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He jokes about shifting from anti‑acquisition stance to opportunistic buying when deals are cheap, highlighting strategic flexibility. **In simple terms:** He changed his view on buying companies when they were cheap. Key Takeaway Be strategic, not just opportunistic. Themes business strategy acquisitions flexibility Mood cautious analytical pragmatic Type advice business When to use this quote - corporate growth - investment decisions - M&A activity - economic downturns Key Concepts market timing opportunism risk management Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance strategic intent with market opportunism? - When should you say no to a cheap deal? A Different Perspective Opportunistic buying can lead to overpaying if not disciplined. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquisition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquisition/) [Acquisitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquisitions/) [Exaggeration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exaggeration/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Sale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sale/) ## Related quotes > [In order to grow at this pace, there will have to be a couple of acquisitions along the way. The tricky thing is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/in-order-to-grow-at-this-pace-there-will-have-to-be-a-couple-of/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [Today we're focused on small acquisitions to add technology where necessary. I think it's fair to say we're not out looking for a large…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjay-kumar/today-we-re-focused-on-small-acquisitions-to-add-technology-where/) [Sanjay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjay-kumar/) > [We continue to see acquisitions as an opportunity area for us. It's one of the tools that we use to grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-muilenburg/we-continue-to-see-acquisitions-as-an-opportunity-area-for-us-it-s/) [Dennis Muilenburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-muilenburg/) > [The ways PE firms are making serial acquisitions, each individual acquisition is under the radar, but in aggregate they roll up the whole market.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lina-khan/the-ways-pe-firms-are-making-serial-acquisitions-each-individual/) [Lina Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lina-khan/) > [“Up 5.15 a.m. thinking, packpackpack. I appear to have accumulated more things. How did this happen? I haven't shopped. Think my bath oils have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/up-5-15-a-m-thinking-packpackpack-i-appear-to-have-accumulated-more/) [Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/) > [We are quite open, however, to looking at acquisitions and there are opportunities that we periodically consider. and I think that may be something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-milne/we-are-quite-open-however-to-looking-at-acquisitions-and-there-are/) [David Milne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-milne/) > [At most corporations if you make an acquisition and it turns out to be a disaster, all the paperwork and presentations that caused the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/at-most-corporations-if-you-make-an-acquisition-and-it-turns-out-to/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [Acquisitions have contributed only to 20% of MindTree's growth and 80% has come through the organic engine. Many large acquisition proposals have been turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashok-soota/acquisitions-have-contributed-only-to-20-of-mindtree-s-growth-and-80/) [Ashok Soota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashok-soota/) > [We are reluctant to do these bigger acquisitions that are then integrated, especially if they are committed to a certain product that they want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobias-lutke/we-are-reluctant-to-do-these-bigger-acquisitions-that-are-then/) [Tobias Lutke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobias-lutke/) > [I think we've been an agent for change, everywhere, and I think change frightens people. They're going nicely in what seems like a settled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/i-think-we-ve-been-an-agent-for-change-everywhere-and-i-think-change/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [We have continued to advance our global ambition with acquisitions that fill in the global footprint, such as Dabo in Dubai on the marketing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-edelman/we-have-continued-to-advance-our-global-ambition-with-acquisitions/) [Richard Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-edelman/) > [Innovation has its limits, of course, and Salesforce has proved adept at supplementing its growth with acquisitions, a tool long available to older rivals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-lashinsky/innovation-has-its-limits-of-course-and-salesforce-has-proved-adept/) [Adam Lashinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-lashinsky/) > [Business development is a part of M&A - we identify signals in the market, whether its trends or disruptive technology, and bring them back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-johnson/business-development-is-a-part-of-m-a-we-identify-signals-in-the/) [Peggy Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-johnson/) > [In the technology markets, we went through a couple of decades where we saw over 800 acquisitions by the five big players, not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lina-khan/in-the-technology-markets-we-went-through-a-couple-of-decades-where/) [Lina Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lina-khan/) > [Wal-Mart does not do big mergers, though it will buy much smaller competitors in so-called 'tuck-in acquisitions.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-berenson/wal-mart-does-not-do-big-mergers-though-it-will-buy-much-smaller/) [Alex Berenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-berenson/) ## More by Larry Ellison > [I own a home in Kyoto, Japan actually on the temple on grounds in Nanzenji that is going to become a Japanese art museum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/i-own-a-home-in-kyoto-japan-actually-on-the-temple-on-grounds-in/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [You can't spend as much money as I have, even if you try. I've been trying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/you-can-t-spend-as-much-money-as-i-have-even-if-you-try-i-ve-been/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [I think I am very goal oriented. I'd like to win the America's cup. I'd like Oracle to be the No 1 software company…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/i-think-i-am-very-goal-oriented-i-d-like-to-win-the-america-s-cup-i-d/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [I love sailing. I like it more when I am winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/i-love-sailing-i-like-it-more-when-i-am-winning/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [See things in the present, even if they are in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/see-things-in-the-present-even-if-they-are-in-the-future/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [Game-playing is more fun when it's virtual because you're more successful. ... in reality, only one person gets to be LeBron.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/game-playing-is-more-fun-when-it-s-virtual-because-you-re-more/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [In some ways, getting away from the headquarters and having a little time to reflect allows you to find errors in your strategy. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/in-some-ways-getting-away-from-the-headquarters-and-having-a-little/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [Taking care of your employees is extremely important and very, very visible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/taking-care-of-your-employees-is-extremely-important-and-very-very/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [If the Internet turns out not to be the future of computing, we're toast. But if it is, we're golden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/if-the-internet-turns-out-not-to-be-the-future-of-computing-we-re/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [When you're the first person whose beliefs are different from what everyone else believes, you're basically saying, "I'm right, and everyone else is wrong."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/when-you-re-the-first-person-whose-beliefs-are-different-from-what/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [If your cash is about to run out, you have to cut your cash flow. CEOs have to make those decisions and live with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/if-your-cash-is-about-to-run-out-you-have-to-cut-your-cash-flow-ceos/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [What can a sales person say to somebody to get them to buy a product that they already use every day if they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/what-can-a-sales-person-say-to-somebody-to-get-them-to-buy-a-product/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [I hate the PC, with a passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/i-hate-the-pc-with-a-passion/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [I think after a certain amount, I’m going to give almost everything I have to charity. What else can you do with it? You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/i-think-after-a-certain-amount-i-m-going-to-give-almost-everything-i/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [It's Microsoft versus mankind, with Microsoft having only a slight lead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/it-s-microsoft-versus-mankind-with-microsoft-having-only-a-slight-lead/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) [Explore all 117 Larry Ellison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) ## More Acquisition quotes > [The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance”: “The differences between expert performers and normal adults are not immutable, that is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-anders-ericsson/the-role-of-deliberate-practice-in-the-acquisition-of-expert/) K. Anders Ericsson > [ No one suffers so much as he \[the genius\] with the people, and, therefore, for the people, with whom he lives. For, in a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-weininger/no-one-suffers-so-much-as-he-the-genius-with-the-people-and-therefore/) [Otto Weininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-weininger/) > [Personal happiness lies in knowing that life is not a checklist of acquisition. Your qualifications are not your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/personal-happiness-lies-in-knowing-that-life-is-not-a-checklist-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We may... affirm that the balance of power in a society accompanies the balance of property in land. The only possible way, then, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/we-may-affirm-that-the-balance-of-power-in-a-society-accompanies-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Learning to play the guitar is a combination of mental and motor skill acquisition. And to develop motor skill, repetition is essential... Whenever musicians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-roberts/learning-to-play-the-guitar-is-a-combination-of-mental-and-motor/) [Howard Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-roberts/) > [All worldly pursuits have but one unavoidable and inevitable end, which is sorrow; acquisitions end in dispersion; buildings in destruction; meetings in separation; births…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milarepa/all-worldly-pursuits-have-but-one-unavoidable-and-inevitable-end/) [Milarepa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milarepa/) > [When ice appears out of doors, and boys seize it up while it is solid, at first they experience new pleasures. But in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/when-ice-appears-out-of-doors-and-boys-seize-it-up-while-it-is-solid/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Accounting consequences do not influence our operating or capital-allocation decisions. When acquisition costs are similar, we much prefer to purchase $2 of earnings that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/accounting-consequences-do-not-influence-our-operating-or-capital/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [A sustainable economy represents nothing less than a higher social order one as concerned with future generations as with our own, and more focused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-r-brown/a-sustainable-economy-represents-nothing-less-than-a-higher-social/) [Lester R. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-r-brown/) > [One industrial age belief is that GDP or GNP is a measure of progress. I don't care if you're the President of China or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-senge/one-industrial-age-belief-is-that-gdp-or-gnp-is-a-measure-of-progress/) [Peter Senge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-senge/) > [I ended up doing four or five plays in college and being an English major with my thesis in language acquisition, which I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-coon/i-ended-up-doing-four-or-five-plays-in-college-and-being-an-english/) [Carrie Coon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-coon/) > [But most automotive dealerships are set up for customer acquisition - which is crazy when you consider the average cost of customer acquisition is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hughes/but-most-automotive-dealerships-are-set-up-for-customer-acquisition/) Arthur Hughes > [As priestcraft was always the enemy of knowledge, because priestcraft supports itself by keeping people in delusion and ignorance, it was consistent with its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/as-priestcraft-was-always-the-enemy-of-knowledge-because-priestcraft/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Even as the unborn babe is in the womb of his mother, these five are fixed as his life destiny: his life span, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/even-as-the-unborn-babe-is-in-the-womb-of-his-mother-these-five-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What becomes of a man who acquires a beautiful woman, with her "beauty" his sole target? He sabotages himself. He has gained no friend,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/what-becomes-of-a-man-who-acquires-a-beautiful-woman-with-her-beauty/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) [Browse all 395 Acquisition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquisition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was vehemently against acquisitions. Now let's buy everything in sight. Well, that's a slight exaggeration. We are a little more strategic than that. 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