Hallowing November With Churchill and Twain

Perspectives, by Mark Robertson, Managing Partner December 1st, 2021

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Sir Winston Churchill and Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain to some of you) were both born on Nov. 30. Since I was born a day earlier, the three of us got together for a little celebration. We decided to play a game of Risk, or at least I thought we did.

Risk, a game of conquest strategy, is played on a world map with the world divided into 42 geographic regions. I was relieved during the blind draw when Sir Winston drew England and Samuel drew the western United States.

After all 42 regions were assigned, we placed our armies among our 14 starter territories. Sir Winston placed his entire inventory of armies on the British Isles. Excuse me, Sir Winston, but placing all your resources on one country is going to shorten the game. You once said that you were ready to meet your Maker but wondered if your Maker was ready to meet you. This will certainly expedite your demise.

Churchill: “Your concern is genuine,and I appreciate it. I shall defend my island, whatever the cost. I shall never surrender.”

Mr.Clemens placed all his troops on the western United States except for a couple he put on France. Great galloping frogs, Mr.Twain, do you realize that you’re also cementing your fate?

Clemens: “I am an anti-imperialist. I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons on any other land.”

OK, I’ll bite. What’s with the troops in France?

Clemens: “Trivial Americans travel to Paris when they die. I was hoping that maybe I could do something about this.”

Churchill: “I shall fight on the beaches of France. … ”

OK, OK. We understand your point, Sir Winston. And it’s clear, Samuel, that you’re fairly taken with these United States.

Clemens: “You grew up on the Mississippi River, Mark. The adventures of Finn and Sawyer are part of your heritage. America is called a nation of inventors. And we are. We could still claim that title and wear its loftiest honors if we had stopped with the first thing we ever invented, which was human liberty. My allegiance to this fine land will withstand any question that either you or Winnie can muster.”

All right, I will surrender to your argument.

Churchill: “I shall never surrender. … ”

Clemens: “Your point has landed. Perhaps we should switch to a discourse on commerce in the new century?”

Churchill: “Never hold discussions with a monkey when the organ grinder is in the room.”

No need to get feisty, gentlemen. I can see that I need to put the game away (grinning).

Churchill: “England prevails again! Never give in. Never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions or honor and good sense. Never yield to force, never yield to the apparent overwhelming might of the enemy.”

Clemens: “Speaking of things seemingly overwhelming, the current crisis in corporate America is nothing new. Some men worship rank, some worship heroes, some worship power, some worship God, and over these ideals they dispute and cannot unite — but they all worship money.”

Churchill: “Some regard enterprise as if it were a predatory tiger to be shot. Others look on it as a cow that they can milk. Only a handful see it for what it really is — the strong horse that pulls the whole cart.”

Clemens: “Let your sympathies and compassion be always with the underdog in the fight. This is magnanimity. But bet on the other one; this is business.”

America should also be a nation of educated investors. What’s your outlook on this?

Clemens: “The challenges of today will pass. The current market chaos has its very roots in the undue attention it received at the turn of the century. You cannot depend on your judgment when your imagination is out of focus.”

Churchill: “A love of tradition has never weakened a nation; indeed, it has strengthened nations in hours of peril. But the new view will come; the world must roll forward.”

But we’ve so much to do. The message and understanding need to reach the masses.

Clemens: “Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising.”

Churchill: “Every day you make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will be a stretch before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.”

Happy Birthday and Better Investing, gentlemen.

This article was originally published in the December 2002 issue of Better Investing.