If the world couldn't see your results, would you rather be thought of as the world's greatest investor but in reality have the world's worst record? Or be thought of as the world's worst investor when you were actually the best?
Warren BuffettRead
I have no views as to where it will be, but the one thing I can tell you is it won't do anything between now and then except look at you. Whereas, you know, Coca-Cola (KO) will be making money, and I think Wells Fargo (WFC) will be making a lot of money and there will be a lot - and it's a lot - it's a lot better to have a goose that keeps laying eggs than a goose that just sits there and eats insurance and storage and a few things like that.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the value of investing in assets that are productive rather than passive.
Warren Buffett highlights the importance of investing in profitable ventures that generate continuous income ('laying eggs') as opposed to holding onto assets that do not provide value or returns over time. By drawing comparisons to companies like Coca-Cola and Wells Fargo, he illustrates his belief in prioritizing investments that actively contribute to wealth creation.
In practice
Use this quote when discussing investment strategies at a financial seminar.
If the world couldn't see your results, would you rather be thought of as the world's greatest investor but in reality have the world's worst record? Or be thought of as the world's worst investor when you were actually the best?
Cash never makes us happy, but it's better to have the money burning a hole in Berkshire's pocket than resting comfortably in someone else's.
I think you should read everything you can. In my case, by the age of 10, I'd read every book in the Omaha public library about investing, some twice. _x000D_ You need to fill your mind with various competing thoughts and decide which make sense.
The most common cause of low prices is pessimism - some times pervasive, some times specific to a company or industry. We want to do business in such an environment, not because we like pessimism but because we like the prices it produces. It's optimism that is the enemy of the rational buyer.
One’s objective should be to get it right, get it quick, get it out and get it over. Your problem won’t improve with age.
Accounting is the language of business.
...maybe a damned good night's sleep will bring me back to a gentle sanity. But at the moment, I look about this room and, like myself, it's all in disarray: things fallen out of place, cluttered, jumbled, lost, knocked over and I can't put it straight, don't want to. Perhaps living through these petty days will get us ready for the dangerous ones.
Those who write clearly have readers, those who write obscurely have commentators.
I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.
I've found, in my own writing, that a little hatred, keenly directed, is a useful thing.
Values spoken without actions taken are merely slogans.
Can I give them what they think they're going to get from me? That's always the big question.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.