Warren Buffett Quotes

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

A public-opinion poll is no substitute for thought.

An investor should act as though he had a lifetime decision card with just twenty punches on it.

If you buy things you do not need, soon you will have to sell things you need.

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

I don't have a problem with guilt about money. The way I see it is that my money represents an enormous number of claim checks on society. It's like I have these little pieces of paper that I can turn into consumption. If I wanted to, I could hire 10,000 people to do nothing but paint my picture every day for the rest of my life. And the GDP would go up. But the utility of the product would be zilch, and I would be keeping those 10,000 people from doing AIDS research, or teaching, or nursing. I don't do that though. I don't use very many of those claim checks. There's nothing material I want very much. And I'm going to give virtually all of those claim checks to charity when my wife and I die.

A horse that can count to ten is a remarkable horse — not a remarkable mathematician.

In the long run managements stressing accounting appearance over economic substance usually achieve little of either.

I try to invest in businesses that are so wonderful that an idiot can run them. Because sooner or later, one will.

Intensity is the price of excellence.

I won't close down a business of subnormal profitability merely to add a fraction of a point to our corporate returns. I also feel it inappropriate for even an exceptionally profitable company to fund an operation once it appears to have unending losses in prospect. Adam Smith would disagree with my first proposition and Karl Marx would disagree with my second; the middle ground is the only position that leaves me comfortable.

You do things when the opportunities come along. I've had periods in my life when I've had a bundle of ideals come along, and I've had long dry spells. If I get an ideal next week, I'll do something. If not, I won't do a damn thing.

Writing a check separates a commitment from a conversation.

I don't look to jump over 7-foot bars: I look around for 1-foot bars that I can step over.

The attitude of our managers vividly contrasts with that of the young man who married a tycoon's only child, a decidedly homely and dull lass. Relieved, the father called in his new son- in-law after the wedding and began to discuss the future:

Son, you're the boy I always wanted and never had. Here's a stock certificate for 50% of the company. You're my equal partner from now on.'

Thanks, dad.'

Now, what would you like to run? How about sales?'

I'm afraid I couldn't sell water to a man crawling in the Sahara.'

Well then, how about heading human relations?'

I really don't care for people.'

No problem, we have lots of other spots in the business. What would you like to do?'

Actually, nothing appeals to me. Why don't you just buy me out?