Mark Skousen’s book, The Maxims of Wall Street (2011), contains:
   
“Definition of obscene profits — something you always hear about but never experience yourself.”
 
That is, an “obscene profit” is what another person makes, but never what you make. The origin of this saying is unknown and the wording of “definition of obscene profits” has not been frequently used.
 
   
MSkousen.com
Maxims of Wall Street — New Book Now Available!
by Mark Skousen on June 27, 2011
THE MAXIMS OF WALL STREET
A Compilation of Financial Adages, Ancient Proverbs, and Worldly Wisdom
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■Quotes from the profound to the profane: “Nobody is more bearish than a sold-out bull” and “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed is king”….“To err is human, but to be paid for it divine” and “Definition of obscene profits — something you always hear about but never experience yourself.”