The 9 Best Buffett-isms of All Time

In light of Warren Buffett’s recent retirement announcement, we’re sharing this piece from September 2020 on his most memorable quotes.

9. "If past history was all that is needed to play the game of money, the richest people would be librarians."

You've heard it over and over again: past performance does not guarantee future performance. Even the best of the best can't predict what the future holds.

8. "Price is what you pay. Value is what you get."

What something costs and what it is worth are not intrinsically connected. Translation: sometimes high prices may be all hype; sometimes low prices could signal a steal. Learn more in What Does Value Investing Look Like?

7. "Beware the investment activity that produces applause; the great moves are usually greeted by yawns."

Although he's been the apple of investors' eyes for decades, Buffett does not invest to impress. Instead, he keeps his goals clearly in sight.

6. "Opportunities come infrequently. When it rains gold, put out the bucket, not the thimble."

To be sure, Buffett does not shy from making big moves when his research and analysis warrant it.

5. "I always knew I was going to be rich. I don't think I ever doubted it for a minute."

The charisma in this statement is palpable, but if you're not in Buffett's league (guilty!), remember: there is such a thing as being too confident.

4. "Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."

Buffett famously favours the long-term. Why? Compounding interest is a powerful thing.

3. "If you're in the luckiest 1 per cent of humanity, you owe it to the rest of humanity to think about the other 99 per cent."

As stated above, we're not in Buffett's league, but investors hold power, regardless of how much money we have in the markets. Like Buffett, we can think about how to use that power for good.

2. "There seems to be some perverse human characteristic that likes to make easy things difficult."

We think of this comment as Buffett's eloquent version of “keep it simple." Speaking of simple, the rule of 72 (an investing math hack) is said to be a favourite of Buffett's.

1. "If you get to my age in life and nobody thinks well of you, I don't care how big your bank account is, your life is a disaster."

Buffett, let us say it if you don't already know: we think very, very highly of you.