Cash Quote by Howard Warren Buffett
“You get in a lot of trouble when you start putting fictitious numbers on value. I think to just say, we're going to say a dollar of cash is worth $2 all of a sudden, it isn't worth $2. It's worth a dollar today. And I think once you start putting phony figures into financial statements, you get in a lot of trouble.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Financial Ethics Discussion, 2020
Manipulating financial figures creates false value and leads to serious ethical and legal problems.
In simple terms: Faking numbers misleads and causes trouble.
Key Takeaway
Maintain honest accounting.
Themes
finance
integrity
transparency
Mood
cautious
professional
Type
business
ethical
When to use this quote
- budget planning
- audit processes
- investment analysis
- corporate reporting
Key Concepts
ethical accounting
valuation
regulation
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards prevent false reporting?
- How does honesty affect stakeholder trust?
A Different Perspective
Short‑term gains can mask long‑term damage.
![“If you really think that houses prices are going to go up next year and the year after, you feel if I don't buy it this year, I'm going to have to buy it next year. [...] And when somebody makes it very easy for you to do it by saying you don't really have to put up my money, you can lie about…” quote by Howard Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/182/howard-warren-buffett-16158_cost_if-you-really-think-that-houses-prices-a_486111.jpg)
