He 'profited by' his experience/mistake. [=he learned something useful from his experience/mistake]
The book can be read with 'profit' by anyone who wants to understand how the system works.
We sold the house 'at a profit'. [=we made a profit when we sold our house]
(..) These drug guys have more money than the government. So you cut a deal with a scumbag like Vivaldi. Vivaldi made up with Torelli, but it was a phoney. He will destroy him. In exchange for leaving him alone, he gives me a profit percentage. I will be rich, Jack. You will be dead, but... Freeze! (..)1993 Last Action Hero