14 Smart Warren Buffet Quotes

Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor, the info on this site is for educational purposes. All investing decisions should be based on your own research. Opinions expressed here are my personal views and should not be taken as financial advice.


Warren Buffett is one of the most successful investors in history. He bought his first stock at age 11 and formed Buffett Partnership at just 25 years old. By his early thirties, he was already a millionaire, and over the decades he transformed Berkshire Hathaway into one of the world’s most valuable companies.

Buffett built his fortune by focusing on simple principles: buy good businesses, stay patient, and let compounding work. As of October 2025, Warren Buffett is 95 years old and still actively guiding investors through his timeless wisdom. Below are some of his most famous quotes, each one offering insight into how to build wealth with patience and discipline.

1. “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.”

-Warren Buffett

This quote encourages investors to think independently. Markets often swing from extreme optimism to panic. Buffett’s message is to take advantage of those emotions by buying when others are scared and holding back when others chase trends.

2. “Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing.”

-Warren Buffett

True risk has less to do with volatility and more to do with understanding. If you study what you invest in, you can make calm, informed decisions even during uncertain times. Knowledge is the best form of risk management.

3. “Only buy something that you would be perfectly happy to hold if the market shut down for ten years.”

-Warren Buffett

This idea highlights the importance of long-term thinking. Great businesses can withstand time, market noise, and economic cycles. If you can confidently hold a company through thick and thin, that is a sign of a strong investment.

4. “If you are not willing to own a stock for ten years, do not even think about owning it for ten minutes.”

-Warren Buffett

Buffett believes that patience outperforms prediction. Investing is not about finding quick wins but allowing compound growth to do its job. The longer you stay invested, the more predictable your results become.

5. “Our favorite holding period is forever.”

-Warren Buffett

This quote reflects Buffett’s belief in buying quality businesses and keeping them. Long-term ownership reduces taxes, emotional mistakes, and trading costs. Forever might not always be literal, but it is the mindset that drives consistent results.

picture of warren buffet
Warren Buffet

6. “The best investment you can make is in yourself.”

-Warren Buffett

Education, discipline, and good habits create lifelong returns. Building your knowledge and character pays off in ways the market never can. Buffett often says your greatest asset is the person you become.

7. “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.”

-Warren Buffett

Buffett reminds investors that the market price of a stock is not the same as its worth. The goal is to buy assets that trade below their true value. Focus on the business, not the stock ticker.

8. “It is far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.”

-Warren Buffett

Cheap does not always mean good. High-quality companies grow earnings and protect your investment through tough markets. Paying a fair price for excellence often beats chasing bargains that never recover.

9. “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

-Warren Buffett

Good things take time. This quote captures the essence of compounding — small, consistent actions made today can create comfort and security decades later. Start early and stay consistent.

10. “What the wise do in the beginning, fools do in the end.”

-Warren Buffett

Timing matters. Smart investors buy when prices are reasonable, while others rush in after seeing strong returns. Following the crowd usually means you are late. Stay disciplined and avoid herd behavior.

11. “Successful investing takes time, discipline and patience. No matter how great the talent or effort, some things just take time. You cannot produce a baby in one month by getting nine women pregnant.”

-Warren Buffett

Buffett uses humor to make a serious point: compounding cannot be rushed. Growth happens gradually and consistently. Give your investments enough time to mature, and you will see how powerful patience can be.

12. “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget rule No. 1.”

-Warren Buffett

This quote stresses the importance of protecting your capital. Avoiding big losses is more powerful than chasing big gains. Focus on safety and quality before worrying about growth.

13. “Never invest in a business you cannot understand.”

-Warren Buffett

If a company’s business model is too complex to explain simply, it is probably not worth your money. Buffett prefers clarity over complexity. Investing within your circle of competence keeps you grounded and safe.

14. “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”

-Warren Buffett

Success requires focus. Buffett says no to distractions so he can say yes to the few opportunities that truly matter. Investors should do the same — stay selective, stay patient, and concentrate where the odds are best.

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