Tenth: Mr. Munger at University of Southern CaliforniaGOULDLaw school graduation speech(2007Years5Month23Day)

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Editor's note: "everybody's investment"(A)From "poor Charlie." the second edition.

"Poor Charlie." the third edition adds a Munger at University of Southern CaliforniaGOULDLaw school graduation speech, according to "Chinese version of" poor Charlie Book Third Edition(Shanghai people's publishing house,2010Years5On the first edition)Abstract in this paper, in order to provide dinner for this print"Munger game".

 

2007Annual spring warm day, at the University of Southern California(USC)Alumni in the park, Charlie Xiang Gang earned a degree194Doctor of laws,89Master of law and3A master of comparative law made a speech, he told everyone how he was successful, become a world-class rich. He pointed out that, for wisdom is a kind of moral responsibility, and stressed that, while he is reading the law school, but if you want to succeed in life and learning, the best way is to master the disciplines.

The audience for this speech echo is very enthusiastic, Edward Dean after Law School of University of Southern California·McCaffrey(Edward J.McCaffery)Awarded the Charlie white hat Association(Order of the CoirOutstanding people, America law society, one of the highest honor award for law school students can obtain--Translator's note)"Honor"Members of the title. White hat is an association to promote the quality of law education academic organization.

 

You must have many people wonder: so old but also to speak(The audience laughed). Well, the answer is obvious: he isn't dead(The audience laughed). Why to ask the person to speak? I don't know, I hope to develop the school with this not what relation.

Anyway, I think I speak here is appropriate, because I see behind a row of older and not wearing degree(Parent)Audience. I had many children, I know they really better than sitting in front of the wear degree students are more glorious dress. Parents paid a lot of effort for their children, the wisdom and value to teach children, they should always be treated with respect. I was very pleased to see many Asians my left face, in this life I always admire Confucius, I very like Confucius about"Filial piety"The idea, he thought of filial piety is born, also need to to education, should be handed down from age to age. You don't look down upon these ideas, please note that Asians in the USA society rises more quickly. I think these thoughts is very important.

Well, I have a few points speech today write down, here to introduce the principles and attitudes that are most useful for me. I don't think they are perfect for everyone, but I think that many of them have a universal value, there are also many is"Have proved effective every time"The truth.

What is important to help me? I was very lucky, we understand so a truth very small time: to get what you want something, the most reliable way is to let you deserve it. This is a very simple truth, is the golden rule. You should learn to do not want to, do not impose on others. In my opinion, both for the lawyer or to said to the others, this is the most should have the spirit of. In general, the spirit of the people can win many things in life, they won more than money and fame. Also won the respect, behoove to win the fight dealings with them trust. To win the trust of others is a very happy thing.

 

You should learn to do not want to, do not impose on others

Sometimes you will find some out and out villain death is rich and famous, but most people think that their surrounding deserves to die. If the church is full of the people at the funeral, most of them are going there to celebrate the boy finally died. This reminds me of a story--One such asshole died, said the priest:"Some people are willing to stand up, put in a good word for the dead?"No one stood up, good long time no one stood up, finally someone stood up, he said:"Well, his brother worse.("The audience laughed). This is not you want to get off, end up with such funeral life, is not what you want in life.

I am very small see the second principle is correct, love should be admired as the basis, we should love all of our educational sages. I know this truth and life in practice it. Somerset·Maugham(Somerset Maugham)Described in his novel "of human bondage of love" is a kind of morbid love, it is a kind of disease, if you find yourself with this disease, should as soon as possible to cure it.

Another reason--This might make you think of Confucius--Yes, for wisdom is a kind of moral responsibility, it is not only is to make your life more beautiful. Very important to have a relative truth, that you must insist on learning. If not for lifelong learning, you will not achieve very high achievement. Rely on the existing knowledge, could not walk in your life. Leave here, you have to study, so as to get farther in life.

 

......For wisdom is a kind of moral responsibility

 

In the world the Most-Admired companies Berkshire·Hathaway, its long-term investment performance may be the history of mankind is the most outstanding. Jean Boxill made a lot of money in this ten year, in the next ten years are unlikely to be so useful, so Warren·Buffett had to become a learning machine. The lower level of life has the same request, I continue to see some people getting better in life, they are not the most intelligent, not even the most diligent, but they are learning machine, every day they sleep at night when the morning a little bit smarter than. children, this you are used to help, especially you on the road to have a long walk.

Alfred·North·Whitehead once said that a sentence is correct, he said that only when human beings"The invention of the present method"Later, the human society can develop rapidly. He was referring to the per capitaGross domestic productThe tremendous growth and many other today we already be accustomed to the good stuff. Human society has developed in a few hundred years ago, and before that, the development of each century almost equal to zero. Human society has invented a method to develop, similarly, you only learn the methods of learning can progress.

 

Human society has invented a method to develop, similarly, you only learn the methods of learning can progress

 

I am very lucky. Before I went to law school has learned the methods of learning. In my long life, not what continues to learn learning to help me more. Take Warren·Buffett, if you take a timer to observe him, will find that when he was awake half the time is to read a book. He put the rest of the time most used very talented with some people to carry on a conversation, is sometimes called, sometimes it is face to face, those are his trust and trust him. Careful observation, the Warren like a pedant, although he is very successful in secular life.

Academia has a lot of very valuable things. I came across an example not long ago, I was a hospital board chairman, to work in a call Joseph·Medical researchers Mira. The man is a doctor of medicine, he after years of study, a bone tumor pathological well versed in the world of man. He wanted to spread this kind of knowledge, improve the treatment effect of bone cancer . What's gotten into him? Well, he decided to write a book, although I think this textbook can sell thousands of copies, but all over the World Cancer Center have bought it. He took a year off, all the XRay get into the computer, carefully preserved and choreography, he works every day17Hours, seven days a week, for up to a year. This is on vacation. The end of the holiday, he wrote the pathology of two this bone cancer the best school textbooks in the. If you value very similar to Mira, you want to get more achievements can be obtained great achievements.

Another very useful for my truth is I was in law school to learn. Then a professor love make fun of to say:"What is the legal mind? If there are two things together, interactions, you try to consider only one of them, while ignoring the other thing, think of this way of thinking is practical and feasible mind is the legal mind."I know he is ironic, he said that"Law"Method is very absurd. This gave me great inspiration, because it enables me to learn an important truth to all disciplines, so I would not become the professor describes goods. Because the really important reason for each subject95%Weight, so for me, to learn what I need from all subjects95%Knowledge, and they will become a part of my thinking habits, it is not difficult to things. Of course, mastered these principles, you must practice to use them. It's like a pianist, if not continue to practice, could not play so well. So in this life I continue to practice the cross discipline.

It helped me a lot, it makes life more fun, let I can do more things, let me become more constructive, let me change very rich, which can't be used to explain. I'm thinking habits only to get the correct practice, really help. But this habit can be dangerous, because it is so useful, if you use it, when you experts and other disciplines--Perhaps the experts or even your boss, can be an easy job to hurt you--Together, you will often find, originally you knowledge than he is richer, more able to solve he encountered problems, when he be at a loss what to do, sometimes you will know the correct answer. Encountered such a situation is very dangerous, if you let the correct identity status of the people feel no face, may cause great newspaper complex psychological. I haven't found the perfect method to avoid damage of a serious problem.

 

If you make the correct identity status of the people feel no face, may cause great revenge

 

Although I was young poker playing very well, but I think I know more than the higher and more time, I'm not very good at conceal own want to method, not very careful to cover up their own mind, so I always offend others. Now people usually regard me as an approach death no malicious geezer, but in the past, I had a very tough time. I suggest you don't learn from me, you better learn to hide. I have a colleague, he graduated from law school student is first class, used to work in America Supreme Court, a lawyer when he was young, he was always out have great experience. One day, a senior partner of his superior called him into the office, and he said to him:"Well, chuck, I want to explain something to you, your work and responsibilities is to allow customers to believe that he is the most intelligent person in the room . If you have finished the task and the excess energy, should be used to make the senior partner you look like second smart people in the room. Only after performing these two obligations, you can show your own ."Well, it is a good way in large law firms in climbing, but I didn't do it. I usually just, if some people could not understand my style, just slightly, and I don't need everyone to like like me.

 

......It is a good way in large law firms in climbing, but I didn't do it. I usually just, if some people could not understand my style, just slightly, and I don't need everyone to like me

 

I want to further explain why people must have a cross science attitude, efficient and mature life. Here, I would like to quote the ancient great lawyer Marcus·Tullus·One of the important thoughts of Cicero(). Cicero had a phrase to be famous, he said, if a man does not know what happened before he was born, life would be like a ignorant child. The reason is very correct, Cicero correctly laughed at those stupid people know nothing at all of history. But if you will Cicero these words give extended application--I think you should do--In addition to the calendar history, there are many things that people must understand. The important thought of many things is called all disciplines. But if you're on a knowledge by rote, in order to get good marks in the exam, this knowledge is of much help to you not. You must master a lot of knowledge, so that they form a framework of thinking in your mind, be able to use them automatically in the following days. If you can do this, I solemnly promise you , someday you will imperceptibly aware:"I have already become one of the most efficiency of my peers in person". On the contrary, if not try to practice this cross science, many you in the most intelligent person will only achieved moderate success, even living in the shadows.

 

For the complex adaptive system as well as the human brain, if the use of reverse thinking, often become more easy to solve problems. If you turn the question around thinking, you will often be able to think more clearly

 

I found another reason contains a say in McCaffrey Dean in the story, the story of the country people say:"You know I will die. Where, I would never go to that place."This country people say though it sounds absurd, it contains a profound truth. For the complex adaptive system as well as the human brain, if we use the inverse to thinking, often become more easy to solve problems. If you turn the question around thinking, you will often be able to think more clearly. For example, if you want to help India, should consider not"What can I do to help India?"On the contrary, you should ask:"How can I be damage to India?"You should find a can cause the most damage to India things, and then not to do it. Maybe from a logical point of view the two kind of method is a kind of, but those who master algebra people know, if the problem is difficult to solve, often can be smoothly done or easily solved by reverse proof. Life situation with algebra, reverse thinking can help you to solve the positive thinking can't handle questions asked.

Let me use reverse thinking right now. What makes us fail in life? We should avoid what? Some of the answer is very simple, for example, lazy and fail to keep faith will let us fail in life. If you fail to keep faith, even if has the advantages of more, also cannot avoid a tragic end. So you should form the habit of laziness and fail to keep faith so, apparently to avoid.

 

......You have to be very careful to beware of strong ideology, it is a great danger to your precious mind

 

In addition to avoid extreme ideology, because it will make people get crazy. You see a lot of very bad cases teach preacher on television, they have not the same, strong, contradictory theological views on theology in all the minor details, but he is very stubborn, I see many of them head has shrunk into a cabbage(The audience laughed). political and ideological situation. Young people are particularly susceptible to strong and stupid ideology, and never get out. When you announce your faithful members of a cult like group, and began to advocate the body orthodox ideology, what you do is the ideology constantly to his head plug. So your mind would be broken, and sometimes it is at an alarming rate broken. So you have to be very careful to beware of strong ideology, it is a great danger to your precious mind.

Whenever I feel there is a danger of a strong ideology, I'll take this example to remind myself, some play canoe Scandinavia conquered all Scandinavia rapids, they think they can also drive the canoe successfully conquer North America maelstrom, the mortality rate is one hundred percent. The maelstrom is you should avoid things, strong ideology, especially your companions are all devout believers.

I have a"Iron law", it helped me in tend to support a strong ideology to keep awake. I don't think I have one view, unless I can better than my opponent. I stand. I think I only reach this state when they are entitled to their opinions. Dean·Acheson(Dean·Acheson.1893-1971Years, USA famous politician and lawyer played an important, in the formulation of America Cold War foreign policy--Translator's note)There is a"Iron law"It comes from the orange, the silence of William(William the Silent of Orange,1533-1584Years, the Dutch against Spanish rule in the Netherlands led in the war of independence, revered as the father of Holland--Translator's note)Said a word, the meaning of that sentence is probably"Not necessary to insist there is hope". My approach that sounds like this"Iron law"As extreme, for most people, this might be too difficult, but I hope it never becomes too difficult. I this to avoid strong ideological than actually Dean·Acheson"Iron law"More likely, it is worth learning. This method don't fall into extreme ideology is very important in life, if you want to become a wise , serious ideology is likely to lead to get the opposite of what one wants.

 

I don't think I have an idea, unless I can better than my opponent. I stand

 

There is something called a"Self service preference"Psychological factors also often cause people do silly things, it is often unconscious, all people are difficult to from its effects. Do you think"Self"Have the qualification to do what it wants to do, for example, overdraft income to meet its needs, what's so bad about that? Well, there was a man, he is the world's most famous composers, can is most of the time he was very sad, one reason is that he always overdrawn his income. The composer named Mozart. Even Mozart couldn't get rid of this stupid behavior of poison, I think you should not try it(The audience laughed).

 

Even Mozart couldn't get rid of this stupid behavior of poison, I think you should not try it

 

In general, jealousy, resentment, hatred and self pity is disastrous state of mind. Excessive self pity that people can almost paranoid, paranoia is one of the most difficult things reversal, you don't get into self pity mood. I have a friend, he was carrying a stack of cards, whenever someone says self pity, he will slowly, exaggeration to pull out that a stack of cards, will top that give the speaker. The card read"Your story touched me, and I have never heard anyone look so bad."You may think that this is make fun of, but I think this is a mental health. Whenever you find yourself produced self pity, no matter what the reason, even if because their children suffering from cancer is about to die, and you will think, self pity is It doesn't help the situation.. This time, you should give yourself one of my friends friends card. Self pity will always produce negative effects, it is a wrong way of thinking. If you can avoid it, your advantage is far more than other people, or almost all of the people, because the self pity is reaction a standard. You can be trained to get rid of it.

Of course you have to eliminate the self service in their own thinking habits, preferences, and don't think for you is on the whole social benefit , also do not according to this self centred subconscious tendency to justify your stupid or evil behavior, that is a terrible thinking mode. You must rid myself of this kind of psychological, because you want to be wise and not a silly melon, want to do good rather than the bad guy. You must allow others in the cognitive action of their own has a self serving bias, because most people are not very successful removal of this kind of psychology, human nature being what it is. If you can't tolerate others show self service preference in the action, then you are a fool.

 

If you can't tolerate others show self service preference in the action, then you are a fool

 

Legal adviser Salomon brothers had made "Harvard Law Review" Student Edition, is a wise and noble man, but my dear saw him to destroy their own future. When the competentCEOSaid a subordinate wrong, general counsel, said:"Oh, we have no responsibility to report the matter in law, but I think that is what we should do, that is our moral responsibility."From a legal and moral sense, general counsel is correct, but his method is wrong. He suggested that the busyCEOTo do something unpleasant things, andCEOAlways put the matter push again, because he is very busy, can understand, he didn't mean to make mistakes. Later, authorities blame them for not timely informed of the situation, soCEOAnd general counsel are finished.

In this case, the correct persuasion technique is Benjamin·Franklin pointed out that, he said:"If you want to convince others, to resort to the interests, rather than appeal to reason."The human self service preference is extremely powerful, should be used to obtain the correct results. So the general counsel should say:"Hey, if this situation continues, will destroy you , will make you lose all standing and reputation,. My advice to you from a doomed eternally."This method will be effective. You should do more to benefit, rather than rational, even when your motives are very high.

Another should avoid things is driven by the incentive mechanism of metamorphosis. You are not in a you behave more stupid or worse, metamorphosis incentive system it provide more returns, the incentive mechanism of metamorphosis has the power to control human behavior, people should avoid affected by it. You will find, some provisions of law firm work a long time, at least several modern law firm is such. If every year to work2400Hours, I can not live, it will bring many problems to me, I will not accept this condition. This situation I have no way to deal with some of you will face, you will have to learn how to deal with these important issues.

 

You should avoid if you don't respect or don't want to work him

 

The metamorphosis of the working relationship should also be avoided, you should avoid if you don't respect or not to like him who work, it is very dangerous. All of them are controlled by authority figures in some extent, particularly those with authority figures in return for our. To properly deal with this danger, must also have the talent and determination. When I was young , my way is to find the people whom I respect, then think of ways to his hand down, but don't blame anyone, so I usually can work in a good leader. Many law firms are allowed to do so, as long as you are smart enough, can do it. In a word, properly admired in your hands, get in life will be more satisfactory.

Develop some let you can keep objective and fair habit of course on cognitive very helpful. We all remember the Darwin special attention to the opposite according to syndrome, especially his falsification is something he believes in love and theory. If you want to think about making as few mistakes as possible, we need such a habit. People also need to develop the habit of checking list, check list can avoid many mistakes, not just for the pilot is so. You should not only master the basic knowledge of extensive, but should make them a list in your mind, and then use them. There is no other way can achieve the same effect.