Charlie Munger on Reading: Increasing Your Chance to Become a Billionaire
May 12, 2025•266 words
Charlie Munger emphasized that reading is fundamental to wisdom and lifelong learning.
He famously said, "In my whole life, I have known no wise people (over a broad subject matter area) who didn't read all the time-none, zero" and noted how much he and Warren Buffett read daily, with his children joking that he was "a book with a couple of legs sticking out"[1][6][8].
He viewed reading not just as a hobby but as a vital tool for self-education and sharpening thinking, calling it "God's gift if you're into self-education," since books provide access to the world's greatest minds and transformative ideas[6].
Munger advocated for voracious, broad reading across disciplines to build a "latticework of mental models" that helps in understanding complex problems and making better decisions[5].
His advice includes reading every day, cultivating curiosity, and striving to become a little wiser every day through continuous learning[2][6].
Munger credited much of his investment success to his extensive reading habits, which allowed him to see opportunities others missed[5].
Sources
[1] 9 Charlie Munger Quotes About Learning, Reading, Thinking https://www.quest-technology-group.com/blog/9-charlie-munger-quotes-for-remarkable-life
[2] 7 quotes on the power of reading from Charlie Munger - Neil Pasricha https://www.neil.blog/articles/7-quotes-power-reading-charlie-munger
[3] Charlie Munger: Book Recommendations That will Make you Smarter https://fs.blog/charlie-munger-recommended-books/
[4] A Dozen Things Charlie Munger has said about Reading - 25iq https://25iq.com/2015/07/26/a-dozen-things-charlie-munger-has-said-about-reading/
[5] The Power of Reading: Charlie Munger's Secret Investing Weapon https://pictureperfectportfolios.com/power-of-reading-charlie-mungers-secret-investing-weapon/
[6] Charlie Munger on the Joy of Reading and Lifelong Learning https://www.tinytaikun.com/charlie-munger-on-reading-and-lifelong-learning/
[7] Munger's Wisdom: The Gift of Reading | Redlands Forum 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O4Oe9rE6d0
[8] In my whole life, I have known no wise people - Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/310173-in-my-whole-life-i-have-known-no-wise-people