Question 1

True or false: Munger never owned a smartphone or computer, preferring to read physical books.

Accepted Answer

True. He famously avoided digital devices, relying on assistants for emails and reading newspapers and books in hard copy form.

Question 2

True or false: Munger once said, 'The best way to get what you want is to deserve what you want.'

Accepted Answer

True. This is one of his most famous quotes, emphasizing character and merit over manipulation to achieve success.

Question 3

True or false: Charlie Munger wrote the book 'Poor Charlie's Almanack' entirely by himself in one year.

Accepted Answer

False. The book is a compilation of his speeches and writings, edited by Peter Kaufman, not written alone in a single year.

Question 4

True or false: Charlie Munger once designed a house entirely out of concrete to save on maintenance costs.

Accepted Answer

True. Munger built a concrete house in Santa Barbara, believing it would be fireproof and low-maintenance, though his wife disliked it.

Question 5

True or false: Munger served as a meteorologist for the U.S. Army during World War II.

Accepted Answer

True. He studied meteorology at Caltech and was assigned to map weather patterns in Alaska, which sparked his interest in mental models.

Question 6

True or false: Charlie Munger was a professional poker player before becoming an investor.

Accepted Answer

False. He played poker casually to learn about decision-making and risk, but his primary career was as a lawyer and later an investor.

Question 7

True or false: Munger lost most of his wealth in the 1973-1974 bear market due to heavy leverage.

Accepted Answer

True. His investment partnership dropped nearly 60% during that crash, teaching him a lifelong lesson about avoiding margin debt.

Question 8

True or false: Charlie Munger was a co-founder of the investment firm Sequoia Capital.

Accepted Answer

False. Sequoia Capital was founded by Don Valentine. Munger was not involved; his main investment firm was Berkshire Hathaway with Warren Buffett.

Charlie Munger Trivia Questions