Warren Buffett

Investor, Oracle of Omaha

Contemporary influential 90 sayings

Sayings by Warren Buffett

I don't want to play in a game where the other guy is cheating.

2009 — Interview with CNBC
Humorous Unverifiable

I would rather be vaguely right than precisely wrong.

Unknown — Attributed to him, popular quote
Humorous Unverifiable

If you aren't willing to own a stock for 10 years, don't even think about owning it for 10 minutes.

Unknown — Attributed to him, popular quote
Humorous Unverifiable

I get to do what I like to do every single day. If you like what you do, you're ahead of the game.

2011 — Interview with CNBC
Humorous Unverifiable

The key to investing is not assessing how much an industry is going to affect society, or how much it will grow, but rather determining the competitive advantage of any given company and, above all, the durability of that advantage.

1999 — Fortune Magazine article
Humorous Unverifiable

I will tell you how to become rich. Close the doors. Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.

2006 — Interview with CNBC
Controversial Unverifiable

There’s class warfare, all right, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning.

2006 — Interview with The New York Times
Controversial Unverifiable

I don’t believe in dynastic wealth. The idea that you hand over huge sums to the next generation just so they can live a life of leisure while others work is not a good idea.

2014 — Interview with Fortune
Controversial Unverifiable

If past history was all there was to the game, the richest people would be librarians.

2003 — Berkshire Hathaway annual letter
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2008 — Berkshire Hathaway annual letter
Controversial Unverifiable