### The Secrets to Happiness According to Charlie Munger
When studying investing, it’s almost inevitable to come across books by Charlie Munger.
While his advice is often spot on, it can be challenging for the average person to apply, and frankly, I found the books a bit dull.
Like many others, I am more interested in how Munger overcame life’s many challenges and managed to live a long and happy life.
His investment wisdom is well-known, but his insights on happiness and longevity resonate more deeply.
**Interviewer**: Charlie, many people come here not just for business or investment advice but for life advice. Today, many are curious about the secret to a happy and long life. What do you think it is?
**Charlie**: It’s easy. It’s really simple. Not being envious or resentful, not spending more than you earn, staying cheerful despite adversity, surrounding yourself with trustworthy people, and doing what you’re supposed to do. These simple rules work wonders in making life better. And they’re so ordinary.
**Interviewer**: When did you realize this?
**Charlie**: Around the age of seven.
I noticed that some of the adults around me were a bit peculiar. I could tell when others seemed a bit crazy. This helped me a lot because there is a lot of irrationality in the world. I’ve thought a lot about its causes and prevention, and it has really helped me. For instance, maintaining cheerfulness is a wise thing to do. Is it that hard? Can you be cheerful if you are engulfed in deep hatred and resentment? Of course not. So why let yourself get into that state?
**Interviewer**: If you could give advice to your 20-year-old self, what would it be?
**Charlie**: Most of my children have turned out well, and I had little to do with it. Children seem to be born with a certain character. You just watch it unfold. A shy baby remains shy as an adult, and a dominant, bossy baby will likely stay that way. I haven’t found a way to change that. You can be careful, but you can’t change it. You can change your reactions, but you can’t change the outcomes.
The most striking lesson I learned from Munger is understanding what you can and cannot control from a young age. Here are some key points:
**Things You Can’t Change**
:
– Events that can’t be altered in the short term
– People more successful than you
– Your current income
– Changing others (including your children)
**Things You Can Change**
:
– Maintaining cheerfulness in adversity
– Not spending more than you earn
– Working with trustworthy people
– Doing your duties
While you can’t change your children, you can control how you respond to them. This insight from Munger has been truly eye-opening for me.
R.I.P Charlie Munger, a true legend.
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Thank you for reading.
