Cash is a fact, profit is an opinion.
Core idea
Accounting earnings can be shaped by assumptions, timing, and presentation, but cash generation is much harder to fake. The quote draws a sharp line between reported performance and economic reality.
Practical application
When evaluating a business, pay close attention to free cash flow, cash conversion, and whether earnings actually turn into spendable money. A company that reports profits but never produces cash deserves skepticism.
Why it matters
This is really a warning about illusion. Rappaport is reminding the reader that the market often gets seduced by polished financial statements, while the truly durable investor looks underneath the accounting veneer.
