(Image - Nano Banana)
As 2025 comes to a close, I thought it would be fitting to keep this edition of Plain Sight lighter than usual, yet reflective. I’ve compiled my 8 favourite quotes that I came across at different places in the last year (or more), and which stuck with me.
Although the quotes are sufficient on their own, I’ve added my two cents on why I find them powerful. I hope you resonate with some of them.
- “It’s easier to hold to your principles 100% of the time than it is to hold them 98% of the time.” — Clayton Christensen in ‘How Will You Measure Your Life?’
Because once you allow yourself a small exception, it becomes easier to justify the next one. It’s easier to cheat if you’ve done it once and didn’t find the consequence bad enough. I’ve found it applies equally to habits, ethics, health, and even how you spend your attention. - “It is remarkable how much long-term advantage people like us have gotten by trying to be consistently not stupid, instead of trying to be very intelligent.” — Charlie Munger
Charlie said this in the context of wealth, but feels universally true. The best part is that it’s so much easier to follow than the contrary. Avoid obvious mistakes at any cost first before chasing brilliance. - “I’m perfectly happy seeing you get extremely rich doing things I’d never want to do.” — Morgan Housel quoted a friend on a podcast, and then included it in ‘The Art Of Spending Money’
Think about all the influencers with an acute need to flaunt their success and wealth to stay relevant, sometimes explicitly, other times as innocent, humble brags. Morgan helped me articulate exactly what I felt when I looked at them. - “Stockdale Paradox”: You must maintain unwavering faith that you can and will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties, and at the same time, have the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be. — Jim Collins in ‘Good To Great’
This is not exactly a quote, but I find it too powerful to leave out. You’re allowed to hope deeply, but only if you’re equally willing to look at what’s broken right now. Hope without staying in the present, and with an eye too keen on the reward, can be soul-crushing. - “We mistake confidence for competence, certainty for credibility, and quantity for quality.” — Adam Grant
What is more visible on the surface becomes automatically impressive. But it often takes a second look, a deeper view to separate the fluff from the insight. This feels especially relevant in today’s age of loud opinions and endless content. - “I like simple, hardworking people, because that’s what I had to do in my life. So I see a bit of myself in them.” — Harsha Bhogle, admiring the New Zealand cricket team after they had just whitewashed India at home in a test series last year.
While he said this in the context of the New Zealand victory, it also sums up why we’re more bitter at some losses than others, and not just in sport. We don’t like losing to anyone, but we also don’t begrudge losing to someone who has worked harder with no unfair advantages. You just doff your hat and get back to work. - “There is nothing quite so useless as doing something with great efficiency something that should not be done at all.” — Peter Drucker
We sometimes get so focused on improving execution that we forget to check the direction. Efficiency is seductive, but it’s dangerous when applied to the wrong goals. Doing less, or stopping altogether, can sometimes be the real progress. - “Whether you prevail or fail, endure or die, depends more on what you do yourself than on what the world does to you.” — Jim Collins in ‘How The Mighty Fall’
Isn’t it fascinating how quotes said in the business context seem to apply equally well in life? Luck does play a role, no doubt, but our actions are all we have.
Let us know:
Do you have a favourite quote that’s permanently stuck in your mind? What is it and why do you find it powerful?
write to us at plainsight@wyzr.in. We’ll include our favourite response in next week’s edition.
Subscriber Spotlight
Khushi Dholakia shared her view on Amlan’s piece, The Nothing Problem:
“Besides scrolling every few minutes, I instinctively turn to my phone usually when I have to concentrate the most. Especially before starting something new, something better. Even before I know it is difficult. It makes me want to just escape from concentrating.”
What we’re reading at Wyzr
The Money Trap. It’s a brilliantly written memoir by Alok Sama, former Morgan Stanley I-banker and Softbank CFO. Gives you a peek into the world of investments, tech startups, and the traps that wealth and the race for more of it lay for you.
Also, in case you’re into books, I’ve shared my list of favourite books here. You may want to check it out for your 2026 reading list.
Happy New Year, from all of us at Wyzr!
Until next time.
Best,
