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Rely on the ordinary virtues that intelligent, balanced human beings have relied on for centuries: common sense, thrift, realistic expectations, patience, and perseverance.
John C. Bogle
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of fundamental virtues like common sense and perseverance in achieving success.

John C. Bogle highlights that throughout history, intelligent and balanced individuals have depended on essential virtues such as common sense, thriftiness, realistic expectations, patience, and perseverance. These timeless qualities are foundational for personal and financial success, reminding us to cultivate and rely on them in our lives.

Themes

VirtuesCommon SenseThriftPatiencePerseverance

In practice

Example use cases

During a workshop on personal finance, one could quote this to illustrate the importance of practical virtues.

More from John C. Bogle

I would always advise young people to follow their star - not my star. They have to live their own life. If they decide they want to go into the investment business, do it, but make it a better business than it is today.
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When our financial system - essentially our money managers, marketers of investment products and stockbrokers - put up zero percent of the capital and assume zero percent of the risk yet receive fully 80% of the return, something has gone terribly wrong in our financial system.
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Entrepreneurs or international conglomerateurs, or large financial institutions buy or create mutual fund management companies to create a return on their own capital. It's capitalism at work, where the rewards tend to go to the managers rather than the investors.
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Net return is simply the gross return of your investment portfolio less the costs you incur. Keep your investment expenses low, for the tyranny of compounding costs can devastate the miracle of compounding returns.
John C. BogleRead
Investing is a virtuous habit best started as early as possible.
John C. BogleRead
Wise investors won't try to outsmart the market.
John C. BogleRead

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A little wisdom, now and then

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