Naval Ravikant, in his iconic tweet thread and podcast "How to Get Rich (without getting lucky)," lays out rugged principles. Here are some of his most quipped, sharpest ideas from that thread — each worth meditating on:
"Seek wealth, not money or status"
Wealth is having assets that earn while you sleep.
Wealth is about having assets that earn while you sleep (e.g., businesses, investments, intellectual property). It provides freedom. Money is a medium of exchange. Status is your position in a social hierarchy, often a zero-sum game. Focus on creating wealth, which is a positive-sum game.
Summary: Build products and systems, not just effort-for-pay. Avoid chasing status games that don’t generate long-term value.
"Play long-term games with long-term people"
All the returns in life, whether in wealth, relationships, or knowledge, come from compound interest.
Trust, reputation, and collaboration matter immensely. Find people who are smart, high integrity, and high energy. Build a reputation that allows opportunities to find you. Integrity and ethical behavior are essential for long-term success.
Summary: Wealth creation is a long-term game. Be patient and focus on compounding your knowledge, skills, and investments over time.
"Become the best in the world at what you do. Keep redefining what you do until this is true."
Escape competition through authenticity.
Don’t copy. Be uniquely positioned by combining your specific skills and interests. Specific knowledge is the most powerful form of leverage.
Summary: Build specific knowledge: This is knowledge you can't be easily trained for or outsourced. It's often highly technical or creative. It's usually found by pursuing your genuine curiosity and passion. The best way to learn specific knowledge is often through apprenticeships or self-teaching.
"Learn to sell. Learn to build. If you can do both, you will be unstoppable"
You either make things (code, products, ideas) or you sell them (convince, market, brand). Great founders and creators combine both skills.
Summary: Combine the ability to create valuable things with the ability to effectively sell them. This is a powerful combination.
"Embrace accountability and take business risks under your own name"
Society rewards you with responsibility, equity, and leverage.
Put your name on the line. Own what you create. This is how asymmetric returns are made possible. People who take on accountability are rewarded with leverage.
"Code and media are permissionless leverage"
You can create software or content that scales without permission.
Build once, earn forever. Media = podcasts, writing, video. Code = apps, platforms, automation.
"You will get rich by giving society what it wants but does not know how to get. At scale"
Find leverage in solving real, widespread problems.
Be relentlessly resourceful. Stay curious. Look for secrets hidden in plain sight. Your compensation will tend to reflect the value you create for society.
"Own Equity (A Piece of a Business)"
You won't get rich by just renting out your time (being an employee). Ownership in a business or assets that can appreciate is crucial for wealth creation.
While blind luck exists, you can increase your chances through hard work, persistence, and by becoming good at spotting opportunities. I hope this helps.
3 Likes | 4 comments
Joshua Francis.I know, Naval might not consider luck and favour but, I do
Horight Peters.I was actually waiting these words in the comments @joshua
Joshua Francis.In the grand scheme of things, you need luck or whatever you want to call it. In context of yourself, you need reason and labour.