Charlie Munger is an American businessman, often known as Warren Buffett's best friend and long-time partner. Together, they’ve shared a remarkable journey of success in the business world, teaching some of the most valuable lessons about both business and life. Their insights have contributed greatly to what we now consider essential wisdom for long-term success.
One of Charlie Munger’s most famous quotes is: “It is remarkable how much long-term advantage people like us have gotten by trying to be consistently not stupid, instead of trying to be very intelligent.”
What Munger highlights here is that long-term success often comes from avoiding mistakes, rather than constantly striving for moments of brilliance. It’s a reminder that consistent, thoughtful decision-making is far more valuable than rare bursts of genius.
He’s emphasizing the power of small, incremental improvements—the idea that you don’t need to be the best, but rather just slightly better than average for a long period of time.
Now, you might wonder, “Why can’t I just aim to be very intelligent instead of merely avoiding stupidity?”
The answer is simple: success is rarely about being the smartest person in the room. More often, it’s about steering clear of the obvious pitfalls—the things that you know could ruin you or your business. It’s about survival, not just brilliance.
Success is cumulative. It’s not about being the top performer today, but about being consistently above average over the next 30 years. Think of it like a marathon—pacing yourself, avoiding burnouts, and steadily moving forward. The early excitement may drive you initially, but after years, it’s discipline and dedication that will keep you going.
Munger’s philosophy reflects this: Consistency beats intensity every time. Most people try to read 60 pages a day for a few days and then give up. But someone like Charlie Munger reads just 10 pages every single day. Over time, he surpasses anyone focused solely on short-term intensity.
You don’t need to be a genius to achieve success. Simply avoiding major mistakes, being disciplined, and staying consistent for years is often enough. But there’s one condition: you have to maintain it for a long, long time.