He fled the Nazis, predicted the Great Depression, and influenced generations of economists.
But his ideas were so controversial, ALL the top US universities rejected him.
This is the story of Ludwig von Mises:
But his ideas were so controversial, ALL the top US universities rejected him.
This is the story of Ludwig von Mises:
Born in 1881 to a wealthy Jewish family in Austria-Hungary, Mises’ future looked bright.
But instead, he chose an uncertain path.
By 1912, he'd written a book that would change economics forever.
But there was one small problem: almost no one listened to him.
But instead, he chose an uncertain path.
By 1912, he'd written a book that would change economics forever.
But there was one small problem: almost no one listened to him.
Mises saw the writing on the wall long before others.
In 1920, he predicted the fall of socialism…decades before the Berlin Wall came down.
Socialists hated him. Capitalists didn't get him.
But Mises wasn't just fighting ideological battles.
In 1920, he predicted the fall of socialism…decades before the Berlin Wall came down.
Socialists hated him. Capitalists didn't get him.
But Mises wasn't just fighting ideological battles.
In 1934, he saw the Nazi threat coming and fled to Switzerland.
Six years later, he escaped to America – leaving behind his life's work and research.
Mises arrived in America with NOTHING.
Six years later, he escaped to America – leaving behind his life's work and research.
Mises arrived in America with NOTHING.
No job, no money, no academic recognition.
He was a world-renowned economist in Europe…
But in the US he was just another refugee.
And now he faced a new battle: academic rejection.
He was a world-renowned economist in Europe…
But in the US he was just another refugee.
And now he faced a new battle: academic rejection.
Despite his brilliance, no major university would give him a paid position.
Why?
His ideas were too radical for the Keynesian establishment.
But Mises didn't back down. He kept writing, teaching, and influencing minds.
For years, Mises taught at NYU without pay.
Why?
His ideas were too radical for the Keynesian establishment.
But Mises didn't back down. He kept writing, teaching, and influencing minds.
For years, Mises taught at NYU without pay.
Spouting ideas like "Government is the negation of liberty"...
Mises wasn't just fighting socialists and capitalists — he was calling out ALL government intervention.
Minimum wage? Central banking? Rationing?
He said they all mess up the market's natural balance.
Mises wasn't just fighting socialists and capitalists — he was calling out ALL government intervention.
Minimum wage? Central banking? Rationing?
He said they all mess up the market's natural balance.
Despite all the obstacles in his way…
Mises made a lasting impact:
• Inspired the Austrian School of Economics
• Mentored Nobel Prize winner F.A. Hayek
• Influenced libertarian thought worldwide
And even in his late 60s, Mises kept fighting.
Mises made a lasting impact:
• Inspired the Austrian School of Economics
• Mentored Nobel Prize winner F.A. Hayek
• Influenced libertarian thought worldwide
And even in his late 60s, Mises kept fighting.
Mises published his life’s work, "Human Action," at 68.
It became the BIBLE of free-market thinking.
And he proved to the world that it's never too late to make an impact.
Of course, I’m not an economist, but Mises' story hits home:
It became the BIBLE of free-market thinking.
And he proved to the world that it's never too late to make an impact.
Of course, I’m not an economist, but Mises' story hits home:
His story is not just about money or theories.
It's about going against the grain and believing in your vision, even when the whole world seems against you.
That's a lesson that lands with me being an heir.
And it just goes to show…
It's about going against the grain and believing in your vision, even when the whole world seems against you.
That's a lesson that lands with me being an heir.
And it just goes to show…
Mises gave up comfort for conviction. He chose intellectual honesty over acceptance.
His ideas outlived his critics.
And at the end of it all, we’re all going to have to look back at our lives in a similar light and ask:
Did we let our critics control us, or did we press on anyway?
His ideas outlived his critics.
And at the end of it all, we’re all going to have to look back at our lives in a similar light and ask:
Did we let our critics control us, or did we press on anyway?
I share these stories to explore how others navigated the struggles of wealth that I’ve also been through.
If you’re on the same path as me and want to join more people like you on a quest for legitimacy, subscribe to The Heir’s Journal:
heirsjournal.ck.page/subscribe2
If you’re on the same path as me and want to join more people like you on a quest for legitimacy, subscribe to The Heir’s Journal:
heirsjournal.ck.page/subscribe2
Thank you for reading.
For more tweets and stories to help heirs of giants live a life full of purpose, follow @HeirsJournal
And repost this:
For more tweets and stories to help heirs of giants live a life full of purpose, follow @HeirsJournal
And repost this:
https://x.com/heirsjournal/status/1849149613996982752
And if you’re interested in watching the full video on Ludwig von Mises:
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