Quote from toc:
My original point was to question the 'metaphysical' aspect of ethics because if we go by the old scriptures saying we find that 'wrong money' from drugs, stealing, frauds etc. does not stay with you. So looking at the fact that 90% of traders end up blowing up and quitting MUST BE HINTING IN A SUBTLE MANNER TO THE FACT THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING WRONG IN TRADING THAT LEADS TRADERS (VIA INSIVIBLE SUPERNATURAL FORCE) TO LOSE AND THAT TOO 90% OF THEM.
I have repeatedly asked in this thread 'what are the reasons 90% get hit and have to quit'.
The only reasons that cause traders to fail are:
1. Lack of Discipline
2. Lack of Good strategy
3. Lack of Business plan
Trading is not a forgiving business. If you consistently break the above rules, you will ultimately fail, even if you are a great trader (Jesse Livermore).
Many get into trading because they think it is easier than what they currently do. Eventually they will realise that trading is one of the hardest jobs they will ever do. Most people will fail at trading because they do not have the combination of traits required to trade successfully. How many people for example would you consider disciplined. People are by nature undisciplined.
Concerning the ethical aspect of trading. Trading is very hard work. Very few will ultimately succeed. It is more difficult to mold yourself into a successful trader than any other career. By the time you have molded yourself (if you ever do), you have earned every penny.
Is the accountant that does not mess his hands less ethical than the construction worker who does? Is the writer that does not mess his hands less ethical than the auto mechanic that does? We all do what we can do and we all try to do the best that we can do for ourselves. Trading is buying and selling, the same as any other business that buys and sells. We try to anticipate opportunities to buy, mark-up, and sell. Sometimes we are successful and sometimes we are not, just like any other business.
There is a guy I know that purchased a house for rehab. The market appears to be softening and he is concerned that he will not make a profit on this transaction. So, he may get out at breakeven or a loss, just like any other market trade.