Enough. — John C. Bogle

📚 "Enough" - John C. Bogle detailed introduction

Today, I'd like to introduce "Enough. True Measures of Money, Business, and Life," a work imbued with wisdom and philosophical reflection, published in his later years by John C. Bogle , founder of Vanguard and known as the "Father of Index Funds." Published in 2008 , this book is more than just an investment guide; it's a work of financial philosophy and reflection on life .

In this book, Bogle uses the word "Enough" to remind us that the pursuit of wealth has no end, and true happiness comes from understanding the meaning of "enough." This book is both his critique of Wall Street culture and his life wisdom.

👤 About the author

John C. Bogle 👑

  • Founder of Vanguard Group, he founded the world's first index mutual fund in 1976, which revolutionized the fund industry.
  • He has devoted his life to promoting the concepts of "low-cost investment", "diversification" and "long-term holding".
  • He is the author of classic books such as "The Little Book of Common Sense Investing" and "Common Sense on Mutual Funds".
  • Known as the "Sage of Investment," he emphasized that investment should serve investors rather than Wall Street's own interests.
  • In the book "Enough", he no longer talks about investment, but talks about the value and meaning of life.

👉 Editor’s take: Reading Bogle’s books often feels like a wise elder is reminding you not to be misled by the world.

📖 Book Core Concept

💡The power of "enough"

  • Wall Street and modern society constantly preach that "more is better": more money, more status, more power.
  • Bogle believes that this endless pursuit will only lead to anxiety and greed.
  • True wisdom is knowing when enough is enough and focusing on the deeper values ​​of life.

👉 Editor's take: This concept is quite shocking, as we are often taught that "the more money the better", but Bogle reminds us that "only by knowing when to stop can we enjoy life."

🎯 Three major aspects: money, career, and life

Bogle explores "enough" from three dimensions in the book:

  1. Money 💰

    • Investing should not be an endless speculative game, but a tool to ensure a stable life.
    • High-cost funds and Wall Street culture have left investors without "enough" because their returns have been plundered.
    • Index funds are an investment approach that returns to "common sense" and "sufficiency."
  2. Business 💼

    • Wall Street is rife with a culture of short-sightedness and greed.
    • Bogle criticized companies for pursuing stock prices and profits while ignoring long-term value and social responsibility.
    • A "sufficient" company should value integrity, long-term value and customer interests.
  3. Life 🌍

    • The value of life should not be measured only by wealth.
    • True happiness comes from family, friendship, service to others, integrity and love.
    • A "enough" life is one lived in values, not numbers.

👉 Editor's comment: These three levels make "Enough" not just an investment book, but a "philosophy of life."

📌 Important points in the book

1️⃣ Keep your investments simple and don’t be greedy🤲

  • Investments that chase high returns often fail.
  • Low cost, diversification, and long-term holding are the "sufficient" strategies.

2️⃣ Wall Street Trap🕳️

  • Wall Street makes money from investors, not helps investors get rich.
  • Over-packaged financial products make investors bear risks but are charged high fees.

3️⃣ The real measure 📏

  • Money is not the only measure of success in life.
  • The criteria should be: Are you honest? Do you help others? Do you live a valuable life?

4️⃣ The story of "enough" 📖

The title of the book comes from a fable:
Two hedge fund managers were showing off how much money they had made at a party, and a writer smiled and said:
“Maybe you have more money than me, but I have one thing you will never have—that is ‘enough’.”

👉 Editor’s opinion: This story really speaks to the wisdom of life.

📚 Book Structure

  1. Money : Investing common sense, fee traps, and the value of index funds
  2. Career : Criticism of Wall Street Culture, Integrity, and Long-termism
  3. Life : The truth of happiness, the choice of value, and the meaning of enough

👉 Editor's take: This book covers finance, the workplace, and life, making it perfect for reading in anxious times.

💡 Inspiration from the book

For individuals

  • Don't be held hostage by the "never enough" mentality.
  • Investment should be simple, low-cost and long-term.
  • The value of life is more important than money.

For families

  • Family wealth should be aimed at "security and happiness" rather than endless accumulation.
  • Teach your children: Honesty, integrity and love are more important than "making a lot of money".

To society

  • If businesses and the financial system can act on the principle of "enough", society will be fairer and more stable.
  • Only by reducing greed and speculation can we build a healthy economy and culture.

👉 Editor's Thoughts: This book is like an elder's admonition, reminding us not to lose ourselves in life while chasing wealth.

🌟 Editor's summary

"Enough" is a classic that integrates investment, business and life wisdom:
It tells us: more wealth is not better, but enough is good💡
It reminds us that investing should be simple, low-cost and long-term📈
It inspires us: happiness in life comes from value, integrity and love, not the numbers in the bank account❤️

📌 Editor's summary: After reading this book, you will transform from the anxiety of "never being satisfied" to the calmness of "knowing when enough is enough", and begin to look at money, career and life in a healthier and happier way.

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