---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think what people understand there…"
description: "\"I think what people understand there probably - well, they were hoping the private sector would do it [rescuing AIG ].\" — Warren Buffett"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/207/warren-buffett-183_people_i-think-what-people-understand-there-pro_2776023.png"
---

#  I think what people understand there probably - well, they…

![“I think what people understand there probably - well, they were hoping the private sector would do it &#91;rescuing AIG &#93;.” quote by Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/207/warren-buffett-183_people_i-think-what-people-understand-there-pro_2776023.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/207/warren-buffett-183_people_i-think-what-people-understand-there-pro_2776023.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/207/warren-buffett-183_people_i-think-what-people-understand-there-pro_2776023.png)

> “I think what people understand there probably - well, they were hoping the private sector would do it \[rescuing AIG \].”

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Investors expected private firms to rescue AIG, but expectations were misplaced

**In simple terms:** People thought the private sector would step in to save AIG

Key Takeaway

Expect private sector to act responsibly

Themes

expectations private sector financial crises

Mood

skeptical analytical

Type

financial commentary

When to use this quote

- investment decisions
- policy analysis
- public statements

Key Concepts

Risk assessment market expectations

Questions to Reflect On

- What are realistic expectations of private firms in crises?
- How can public policy complement private action?

A Different Perspective

Private sector may lack incentives or capacity to intervene

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Hoping Private](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hoping-private-3276650/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Understand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-understand/) [Private sector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/private-sector/) [Probably Hoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/probably-hoping-3276651/) [Rescuing Aig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rescuing-aig-3276649/) [Taxes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taxes/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/)

## Related quotes

> [You may have been joking, but you were probably hoping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leilani-spencer-goodsir/you-may-have-been-joking-but-you-were-probably-hoping/)

[Leilani Spencer-Goodsir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leilani-spencer-goodsir/)

> [I think that they hoped the private sector would come in. And the private sector tried to come in until they saw the size…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-think-that-they-hoped-the-private-sector-would-come-in-and-the/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [I never worked in the private sector for very long, I worked on childcare, afterschool, health care for people, increasing the minimum wage, increasing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/i-never-worked-in-the-private-sector-for-very-long-i-worked-on/)

[Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/)

> [Tax reduction has an almost irresistible appeal to the politician, and it is no doubt also gratifying to the citizen. It means more dollars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-w-gardner/tax-reduction-has-an-almost-irresistible-appeal-to-the-politician-and/)

[John W. Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-w-gardner/)

> [To reduce deficit spending and our enormous debt, you reign in spending. You cut the budget. You don't take more from the private sector…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/to-reduce-deficit-spending-and-our-enormous-debt-you-reign-in/)

[Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/)

> [My own belief is that the way we grow the economy, create jobs, create wealth is in the private sector. The government doesn't do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/my-own-belief-is-that-the-way-we-grow-the-economy-create-jobs-create/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [I'm one of those people who believes that part of the greatness of the United States is our private sector. It's what we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/i-m-one-of-those-people-who-believes-that-part-of-the-greatness-of/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [Energy is a sector of the economy that has been particularly resistant to innovation. This is precisely the problem. It is why we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/energy-is-a-sector-of-the-economy-that-has-been-particularly/)

[Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/)

> [Some things are too important to be left to the private sector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-galloway/some-things-are-too-important-to-be-left-to-the-private-sector/)

[George Galloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-galloway/)

> [The government competes in the private sector the way an alligator competes with a duck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-government-competes-in-the-private-sector-the-way-an-alligator/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [ I think the rest of the country should be paying less, the 95 percent that \[Barack\] Obama talks about or maybe even a little… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-think-the-rest-of-the-country-should-be-paying-less-the-95-percent/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [I mean the truth is, I've never had it so good in terms of taxes. I am paying the lowest tax rate that I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-mean-the-truth-is-i-ve-never-had-it-so-good-in-terms-of-taxes-i-am/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [Writing checks to the IRS that include strings of zeros does not bother me ... Overall, we feel extraordinarily lucky to have been dealt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/writing-checks-to-the-irs-that-include-strings-of-zeros-does-not/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [I want people to understand there is a such a thing as creating a harmonious experience between the dogs and the humans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-millan/i-want-people-to-understand-there-is-a-such-a-thing-as-creating-a/)

[Cesar Millan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-millan/)

> [For people to understand me when I travel, I speak with my hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-carne/for-people-to-understand-me-when-i-travel-i-speak-with-my-hands/)

[Marcel Carne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-carne/)

## More by Warren Buffett

> [To invest successfully over a lifetime does not require a stratospheric IQ, unusual business insights, or inside information. What's needed is a sound intellectual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/to-invest-successfully-over-a-lifetime-does-not-require-a/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [“Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/be-fearful-when-others-are-greedy-and-be-greedy-when-others-are/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [Making money isn't the backbone of our guiding purpose; it is the by-product of our guiding purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/making-money-isn-t-the-backbone-of-our-guiding-purpose-it-is-the-by/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [We set no volume goals in our insurance business generally-and certainly not in reinsurance-as virtually any volume can be achieved if profitability standards are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/we-set-no-volume-goals-in-our-insurance-business-generally-and/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [Everybody's got a different circle of competence. The important thing is not how big the circle is. The important thing is staying inside the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/everybody-s-got-a-different-circle-of-competence-the-important-thing/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [It is better to point out your own mistakes than have somebody else do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/it-is-better-to-point-out-your-own-mistakes-than-have-somebody-else/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [I've read about all the sales today. If you're an auto dealer, you're feeling it. If you're a furniture retailer like we are, you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-ve-read-about-all-the-sales-today-if-you-re-an-auto-dealer-you-re/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [I was lucky enough to be born in a time and place where society values my talent, and gave me a good education to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-born-in-a-time-and-place-where-society/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [The most common cause of low prices is pessimism - some times pervasive, some times specific to a company or industry. We want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/the-most-common-cause-of-low-prices-is-pessimism-some-times-pervasive/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [The reaction of weak management to weak operations is often weak accounting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/the-reaction-of-weak-management-to-weak-operations-is-often-weak/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [What you really want to do in investments is figure out what's important and knowable. If it's unimportant or unknowable you forget about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/what-you-really-want-to-do-in-investments-is-figure-out-what-s/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [I don't measure my life by the money I've made. Other people might, but certainly don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-don-t-measure-my-life-by-the-money-i-ve-made-other-people-might-but/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [I mean the truth is, I've never had it so good in terms of taxes. I am paying the lowest tax rate that I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-mean-the-truth-is-i-ve-never-had-it-so-good-in-terms-of-taxes-i-am/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [The most important quality for an investor is temperament, not intellect. You need a temperament that neither derives great pleasure from being with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/the-most-important-quality-for-an-investor-is-temperament-not/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [Investors, of course, can, by their own behavior make stock ownership highly risky. And many do. Active trading, attempts to "time" market movements, inadequate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/investors-of-course-can-by-their-own-behavior-make-stock-ownership/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

[Explore all 984 Warren Buffett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

## More People quotes

> [If I am going to be phased out by whatever powers, then I want people to know that it is not because I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parvathy/if-i-am-going-to-be-phased-out-by-whatever-powers-then-i-want-people/)

[Parvathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parvathy/)

> [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/)

[Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/)

> [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/)

[Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/)

> [I wanted to write about voodoo tradition that I feel has been very important to survival of black people here: people of the African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-wanted-to-write-about-voodoo-tradition-that-i-feel-has-been-very/)

[Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/)

> [I feel like I definitely have a real sporty style, more so than a lot of people in G.O.O.D. Music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/i-feel-like-i-definitely-have-a-real-sporty-style-more-so-than-a-lot/)

[Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/)

> [I feel like the future is unwritten. So many of the things that we write now haven't been about educating people on the environment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flansburgh/i-feel-like-the-future-is-unwritten-so-many-of-the-things-that-we/)

[John Flansburgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flansburgh/)

> [The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/the-only-people-who-think-the-internet-is-a-calamity-are-people-whose/)

[Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/)

> [Crony capitalism is essentially a condition in which... public officials are giving favours to people in the private sector in payment of political favours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/crony-capitalism-is-essentially-a-condition-in-which-public-officials/)

[Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/)

> [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/)

[Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/)

> [For us who are now in power, we need to be challenged to serve the people and ignore our own egos and personal interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangari-maathai/for-us-who-are-now-in-power-we-need-to-be-challenged-to-serve-the/)

[Wangari Maathai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangari-maathai/)

> [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/)

[Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/)

> [By eating many fruits and vegetables in place of fast food and junk food, people could avoid obesity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-h-murdock/by-eating-many-fruits-and-vegetables-in-place-of-fast-food-and-junk/)

[David H. Murdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-h-murdock/)

> [Some people give you that motivation to work harder simply to get the hell away from wherever they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/some-people-give-you-that-motivation-to-work-harder-simply-to-get-the/)

[Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/)

> [Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they're wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/pain-is-meant-to-wake-us-up-people-try-to-hide-their-pain-but-they-re/)

[Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/)

[Browse all 211,607 People quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I think what people understand there probably - well, they were hoping the private sector would do it [rescuing AIG ].",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Warren Buffett"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-think-what-people-understand-there-probably-well-they-were-hoping/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "People"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-think-what-people-understand-there-probably-well-they-were-hoping/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/207/warren-buffett-183_people_i-think-what-people-understand-there-pro_2776023.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/207/warren-buffett-183_people_i-think-what-people-understand-there-pro_2776023.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/207/warren-buffett-183_people_i-think-what-people-understand-there-pro_2776023.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I think what people understand there probably - well, they were hoping the private sector would do it…” — Warren Buffett",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Warren Buffett",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I think what people understand there...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-think-what-people-understand-there-probably-well-they-were-hoping/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-think-what-people-understand-there-probably-well-they-were-hoping/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
