12 Quotes by Alice Schroeder

it was always something what we did or said, and there would be this flash, and then it didn't subside. all your past sins would be brought up, it was just endless. and my mother attributed it sometimes to having neuralgia, but she never showed that outwardly

There are certain things that cannot be adequately explained to a virgin either by words or pictures.

he argued with Susie that she had been conned into spending too much money on Howard's coffin.

With this transaction, Berkshire is now clearly an insurance company that will generate excess capital and cash flow that can be invested and, of course, the real synergy here is that Warren Buffett is the master at allocating and using capital and General Re is a company that generates an enormous amount of excess capital, so it's a great fit.

It appears many insurers would be severely damaged, if not bankrupted, by a disproportionate share of a $10 billion loss. We believe that a certain amount of insurers may simply withdraw from writing certain lines of business.

I see 234 parking spaces, and I get concerned about people crossing the street. When the high school lets out, the place is already packed with cars.

He's exceptionally qualified as a manager. His charm and force of personality cause people to do what he wants. It just happens.

Everybody wants attention and admiration. Nobody wants to be criticized. The sweetest sound in the English language is the sound of a person’s own name. The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it. If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders. Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to. Call attention to people’s mistakes indirectly. Let the other person save face.

The big question about how people behave is whether they’ve got an Inner Scorecard or an Outer Scorecard. It helps if you can be satisfied with an Inner Scorecard. I always pose it this way. I say: ‘Lookit. Would you rather be the world’s greatest lover, but have everyone think you’re the world’s worst lover? Or would you rather be the world’s worst lover but have everyone think you’re the world’s greatest lover?’ Now, that’s an interesting question.