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First time Quote by Michael Lewis

“How could anyone be so stupid as to trust a trader? The best thing I could do was pretend to others at Salomon that I had meant to screw the customer. People would respect that. That was called jamming. I had just jammed bonds, albeit unknowingly, for the first time. I had lost my innocence.” quote by Michael Lewis
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““How could anyone be so stupid as to trust a trader? The best thing I could do was pretend to others at Salomon that I had meant to screw the customer. People would respect that. That was called jamming. I had just jammed bonds, albeit unknowingly, for the first time. I had lost my innocence.””

Michael Lewis

About This Quote

Source Book: Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis, 1989

The speaker reflects on naive trust in financial markets, realizing his own complicity in harmful practices and loss of innocence.

In simple terms: Realizing the harm in trusting deceitful traders and losing innocence.

Key Takeaway

Beware blind trust in finance.

Themes

trust innocence financial ethics deception personal growth

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

cautionary reflective

When to use this quote

  • investment banking
  • career decisions
  • personal reflection

Key Concepts

market manipulation moral awakening ethical dilemmas

Questions to Reflect On

  • How have you questioned trust in your profession?
  • What steps can you take to protect ethical integrity?
A Different Perspective

Trust is often exploited in high‑stakes markets.

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