Walter Matthau on Gambling with Capitalism
on Friday, February 15, 2013Walter Matthau Money Quotation saying gambling represents the element of risk that has contributed to making America great – it beat the odds and has had a long run of luck. Walter Matthau said:
“Poker exemplifies the worst aspects of capitalism that have made our country so great” — Walter Matthau
In this quote, Walter Matthau is drawing a connection between poker and capitalism, seeing similarities in some of their key aspects. Poker involves elements of risk, competition, strategy, and the ability to profit based on one’s skill and decision-making abilities under uncertainty.
Matthau suggests these same qualities are what have allowed capitalism in the United States to thrive and the country to become so powerful and prosperous. While poker highlights risk-taking and the potential for both gain and loss, Matthau views these as representative of capitalism’s dynamic nature which has propelled innovation and economic growth despite fluctuations.
So in essence, the quote argues that capitalism’s willingness to embrace calculated risk, competition and reward for strategic success are what have made America “so great”, as epitomized by the game of poker.
Birthday: October 1, 1920 – Death: July 1, 2000