Acquire Quote by Michael Lewis
![“They [some countries] borrowed money to go acquire things, Indian power plants and Danish newspapers and British soccer teams. And they did it willy-nilly, and they themselves a story, that Icelandic history and culture and DNA leaves us very well-suited to being investment bankers.” quote by Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/173/michael-lewis-705_acquire_they-some-countries-borrowed-money-to-go_2244883.jpg)
“They [some countries] borrowed money to go acquire things, Indian power plants and Danish newspapers and British soccer teams. And they did it willy-nilly, and they themselves a story, that Icelandic history and culture and DNA leaves us very well-suited to being investment bankers.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Big Short, Michael Lewis, 2010
Countries sometimes take on debt for high‑profile projects without clear strategy, believing cultural traits make them natural financiers.
In simple terms: Borrowing for prestige can mask poor financial planning.
Key Takeaway
Beware of debt driven by image, not substance.
Themes
finance
culture
risk
national identity
Mood
cautious
critical
analytical
Type
advisory
commentary
economic.
When to use this quote
- government infrastructure projects
- media acquisitions
- sports franchise ownership
Key Concepts
economic policy
behavioral economics
identity economics
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives a nation to prioritize prestige over fiscal health?
- How can cultural narratives be balanced with prudent finance?
A Different Perspective
Assumes cultural superiority guarantees financial success, which may not hold.
![“Crucial decisions are made, today as thousands of years ago, in terms of the intuitive guesses and preferences of a few men in positions of authority...[it is] quite likely that the fate of entire societies may be sealed by a series of avoidable mistakes committed by their leaders.” quote by Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a59/michael-lewis-705_decision-making_crucial-decisions-are-made-today-as-thou_16888.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
