--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Trying to pick individual stocks is a…" description: "\"Trying to pick individual stocks is a trap. I can't do it. Warren Buffett can, but hardly anyone else can beat the indexes over a long period of time.\"..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/186/ben-stein-2703_beat_trying-to-pick-individual-stocks-is-a-tr_2058668.jpg" --- # Trying to pick individual stocks is a trap. I can't do it… ![“Trying to pick individual stocks is a trap. I can't do it. Warren Buffett can, but hardly anyone else can beat the indexes over a long period of time.” quote by Ben Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/186/ben-stein-2703_beat_trying-to-pick-individual-stocks-is-a-tr_2058668.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/186/ben-stein-2703_beat_trying-to-pick-individual-stocks-is-a-tr_2058668.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/186/ben-stein-2703_beat_trying-to-pick-individual-stocks-is-a-tr_2058668.jpg) > “Trying to pick individual stocks is a trap. I can't do it. Warren Buffett can, but hardly anyone else can beat the indexes over a long period of time.” [Ben Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Individual stock picking is rarely superior to broad market indexes for most investors. **In simple terms:** Most people can't beat the market by picking stocks. Key Takeaway Prefer low‑cost index funds for long‑term growth. Themes investing markets risk management Mood analytical pragmatic Type financial educational When to use this quote - retirement planning - portfolio construction - financial education - wealth building Key Concepts efficient market hypothesis behavioral finance Questions to Reflect On - Are you comfortable with market swings? - What role does diversification play for you? A Different Perspective Index funds still expose you to market volatility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [All capitalists should be like Warren Buffett, and he says he should be taxed more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-asner/all-capitalists-should-be-like-warren-buffett-and-he-says-he-should/) [Ed Asner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-asner/) > [President Obama likes to talk about the Buffett Rule. Well, here's a Buffett Rule that all Americans should be able to support: mom and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-portman/president-obama-likes-to-talk-about-the-buffett-rule-well-here-s-a/) [Rob Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-portman/) > [I want to have a tax on people who are making a million dollars. 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Blige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-blige/) > [Back back back it up, can't no one compete. 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