Brain Quote by Jeremy Grantham
“Market timing, by the way, is a tag some buy-and-hold investors use to put down anything that involves using your brain. These are the same people who like to watch the locomotive coming and get run down in the name of discipline.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Investor correspondence, 2018
The author criticizes "market timing" as an excuse used by buy‑and‑hold investors to avoid thoughtful analysis, equating it to reckless behavior.
In simple terms: Market timing is a lazy excuse for avoiding thinking.
Key Takeaway
Avoid using timing as a shield for inattention.
Themes
investment
strategy
discipline
behavioral finance
risk
Mood
critical
analytical
skeptical
Type
commentary
financial
When to use this quote
- stock market investing
- portfolio management
- financial planning
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
investment philosophy
decision making
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever consider timing in your own investing?
- How can investors balance discipline with flexibility?
A Different Perspective
Timing can be useful in some strategies; blanket dismissal may overlook legitimate tactics.
