If you are an Arabic-speaking, Greek-Orthodox going to a French school it makes you deeply sceptical if you have to listen to three different accounts of the Crusades - one from the Muslim side, one from the Greek side and one from the Catholic side. Nassim Nicholas Taleb accountarabiccatholic share on social
Capitalism has forced everyone to overoptimize in order to compete. Nassim Nicholas Taleb capitalismcompeteforce Change image and share on social
You have family-owned businesses that have been around for 500 years. You cannot name a corporation that survives intact for even a few decades. Nassim Nicholas Taleb businesscorporationdecade Change image and share on social
The best philosophers were not academics, but had another job, so their philosophy was not corrupted by careerism. Nassim Nicholas Taleb academiccareerismcorrupt Change image and share on social
I select a very small number of things to be sceptical about, such as markets, and on these I am hypersceptic. But I want to be fooled by randomness in art. I want the ceremonial of religion; we are made for it. Nassim Nicholas Taleb artceremonialfool share on social
I am happy everywhere except in places where I see glitz and rich farts. I am happiest in Brooklyn, where the concentration of rich farts is minimal. Nassim Nicholas Taleb brooklynconcentrationfart Change image and share on social
A good maxim allows you to have the last word without even starting a conversation. Nassim Nicholas Taleb conversationgoodmaxim Change image and share on social
Banking is a very treacherous business because you don't realize it is risky until it is too late. It is like calm waters that deliver huge storms. Nassim Nicholas Taleb bankbusinesscalm Change image and share on social
I lift heavy weights and sprint, but I am so bad at it that I develop severe injuries. Nassim Nicholas Taleb baddevelopheavy Change image and share on social
A country's assets reside in the tinkerers, the hobbyists, and the risk-takers. Nassim Nicholas Taleb assetcountryhobbyist Change image and share on social
