"The best thing a human being can do is to help another human being know more." — Is this the motivation behind Charlie Munger's lifelong reading and sharing?

Is this the core of Charlie Munger's motivation for reading and sharing?

Hey there! I'm a huge fan of Munger. I've read many of his books and speeches and learned a lot from him. Let's chat about this question. I'll explain it in plain language, like we're having a casual conversation in a coffee shop.

First, the origin of this quote

This quote sounds super Munger-esque: "The best thing a person can do is help another person know more." Actually, it's not an exact original quote from him, but it perfectly captures Munger's lifelong philosophy. Charlie Munger was Warren Buffett's legendary partner and Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. He lived to 99 (just passing in 2023) and spent his life reading voraciously and sharing knowledge. He often said that learning and teaching others are life's most valuable pursuits. This quote is essentially the essence of his "life philosophy."

Why did Munger love reading and sharing so much?

Munger wasn't the type to just enrich himself. From a young age, he cultivated a daily reading habit across an incredibly wide range of subjects: psychology, biology, history, physics—you name it. He believed knowledge isn't a treasure to be hoarded, but something to be shared to help others grow. Why?

• His motivation was simple: to make the world a little better. Munger believed human progress relies on the spread of knowledge. If you know something, you should tell others so everyone can avoid unnecessary mistakes. He often said in speeches, "My goal in life is to get wiser and help others get wiser too."
• There are plenty of examples. Take his book Poor Charlie's Almanack, packed with his shared wisdom on everything from investing to life principles. He frequently gave free lectures at universities for young people. Even at Berkshire annual meetings, he and Buffett answered questions specifically so shareholders and fans could learn.
• This ties into his 'multidisciplinary mindset'. Munger didn't just read; he encouraged using knowledge from different fields to solve problems. He felt helping others "know more" meant helping them gain new perspectives and avoid foolish mistakes.

Was this truly his lifelong motivation?

Yes, I absolutely think so! Munger didn't do this for fame or money (he was already incredibly wealthy). His drive to share knowledge stemmed from a genuine belief that it could help others live better lives. Think about it: he never wrote an autobiography or boasted. Instead, he demonstrated through action how reading made him both a billionaire and a wise man, and he wanted to pass that "secret" on.

Of course, nobody's perfect. Munger could be very blunt, even sarcastic at times, but his intentions were good. If you're interested, I recommend starting with his books. Give them a read—you'll find the old man truly fascinating.

What do you think? Any other questions? Let's keep talking!