---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Always leave a sinking ship. There's no…"
description: "\"Always leave a sinking ship. There's no virtue in hanging on to losers. And stocks don't have feelings.\" — Nancy Dunnan"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/927/nancy-dunnan-36010_customer_always-leave-a-sinking-ship-there-s-no-v_21915.jpg"
---

#  Always leave a sinking ship. There's no virtue in hanging…

![“Always leave a sinking ship. There's no virtue in hanging on to losers. And stocks don't have feelings.” quote by Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/927/nancy-dunnan-36010_customer_always-leave-a-sinking-ship-there-s-no-v_21915.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/927/nancy-dunnan-36010_customer_always-leave-a-sinking-ship-there-s-no-v_21915.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/927/nancy-dunnan-36010_customer_always-leave-a-sinking-ship-there-s-no-v_21915.jpg)

> “Always leave a sinking ship. There's no virtue in hanging on to losers. And stocks don't have feelings.”

[Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Advocates cutting losses quickly, emphasizing that clinging to failing investments yields no moral benefit and that markets are indifferent to sentiment.

**In simple terms:** Cut losses early; markets are impersonal.

Key Takeaway

Don’t cling to losers.

Themes

risk management investment discipline psychology of investing opportunity cost market efficiency

Mood

pragmatic detached cautious

Type

advice max max

When to use this quote

- evaluating underperforming stocks
- deciding to sell a losing position
- rebalancing a portfolio
- responding to a market downturn

Key Concepts

loss aversion confirmation bias portfolio turnover emotional detachment

Practical Applications

- portfolio optimization
- risk mitigation

Questions to Reflect On

- What criteria do you use to decide when to exit a position?
- How do you balance emotional comfort with rational loss‑cutting?

A Different Perspective

Sometimes holding a losing asset can be strategic if it’s expected to recover, and premature selling may lock in losses unnecessarily.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Loser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loser/) [Losers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/losers/) [Sinking Ship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sinking-ship/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/)

## Related quotes

> [“We all have the same holes in our hearts Everything falls apart at the exact same time It all comes together perfectly for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/listener/we-all-have-the-same-holes-in-our-hearts-everything-falls-apart-at/)

Listener

> [“It's a sinking ship," he said. "You ought to be grateful that they just threw you overboard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/it-s-a-sinking-ship-he-said-you-ought-to-be-grateful-that-they-just/)

[Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/)

> [On land, you can walk away from people, from unpleasant situations. But when you're on a ship for 14 months with 49 other people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-campbell/on-land-you-can-walk-away-from-people-from-unpleasant-situations-but/)

[Billy Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-campbell/)

> [It struck him that in moments of crisis one is never fighting against an external enemy, but always against one’s own body... On the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/it-struck-him-that-in-moments-of-crisis-one-is-never-fighting-against/)

[George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/)

> [Some relationships are like a sinking ship, and as painful as it is to watch your ship sink, you have to jump overboard and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harrison-daniel/some-relationships-are-like-a-sinking-ship-and-as-painful-as-it-is-to/)

[Harrison Daniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harrison-daniel/)

> [To some Christians today, this world is not a sinking ship or a world reserved for fire. It is an international capitol building overrun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wilkerson/to-some-christians-today-this-world-is-not-a-sinking-ship-or-a-world/)

[David Wilkerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wilkerson/)

> [“He had outlived the luxurious agonies of youthful blood, and in this very freedom from illusion he recognised the loss of something. From now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/he-had-outlived-the-luxurious-agonies-of-youthful-blood-and-in-this/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [But all the love in the world won't save a sinking ship. You have to either bail or jump overboard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/but-all-the-love-in-the-world-won-t-save-a-sinking-ship-you-have-to/)

[Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/)

> [I think I'm gonna attach myself to the sinking ship that is book publishing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-clowes/i-think-i-m-gonna-attach-myself-to-the-sinking-ship-that-is-book/)

[Daniel Clowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-clowes/)

> [I'd much love being a woman. Coz women can cry, they can wear cute clothes, and they are the first to be rescued off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhiess-krieg/i-d-much-love-being-a-woman-coz-women-can-cry-they-can-wear-cute/)

[Jhiess Krieg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jhiess-krieg/)

> [I'd much rather be a woman than a man. Women can cry, they can wear cute clothes, and they're the first to be rescued…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilda-radner/i-d-much-rather-be-a-woman-than-a-man-women-can-cry-they-can-wear/)

[Gilda Radner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilda-radner/)

> [You don't integrate with a sinking ship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/you-don-t-integrate-with-a-sinking-ship/)

[Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/)

> [Often undecided whether to desert a sinking ship for one that might not float, he would make up his mind to sit on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/often-undecided-whether-to-desert-a-sinking-ship-for-one-that-might/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I do not use airplanes. They strike me as unsporting. You can have an automobile accident-and survive. You can be on a sinking ship-and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/i-do-not-use-airplanes-they-strike-me-as-unsporting-you-can-have-an/)

[Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/)

> [She was like a sinking ship firing on the rescuers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-woollcott/she-was-like-a-sinking-ship-firing-on-the-rescuers/)

[Alexander Woollcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-woollcott/)

## More by Nancy Dunnan

> [The higher the yield, the higher the risk. A high yield is designed to attract investors. An outrageously high yield attracts fools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/the-higher-the-yield-the-higher-the-risk-a-high-yield-is-designed-to/)

[Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/)

> [Avoid greed and fear. These are the investor's Achilles heels. Keeping all your money in the bank earning 3% interest is just as foolish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/avoid-greed-and-fear-these-are-the-investor-s-achilles-heels-keeping/)

[Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/)

> [Give a cold shoulder to cold callers. Never invest in anything based on a phone call from someone you don't know or whose office…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/give-a-cold-shoulder-to-cold-callers-never-invest-in-anything-based/)

[Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/)

> [Bulls make money and bears make money, but pigs seldom do. When a stock or mutual fund is up 30%, sell one-quarter of your position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/bulls-make-money-and-bears-make-money-but-pigs-seldom-do-when-a-stock/)

[Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/)

> [Sell before the holidays. Stock prices tend to rise on the last trading day before major holidays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/sell-before-the-holidays-stock-prices-tend-to-rise-on-the-last/)

[Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/)

> [If you're uncomfortable with your financial advisor, it's probably with good reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/if-you-re-uncomfortable-with-your-financial-advisor-it-s-probably/)

[Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/)

> [When a corporation goes into the marketplace to buy back its own stock, it means management thinks the stock is undervalued. This is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/when-a-corporation-goes-into-the-marketplace-to-buy-back-its-own/)

[Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/)

> [Never call your broker on Monday. Out of courtesy and common sense, wait until Tuesday. A good broker is focused on the opening of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/never-call-your-broker-on-monday-out-of-courtesy-and-common-sense/)

[Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/)

> [Invest less at the end of the month. Brokers tend to push stocks at the end of the month in an effort to match…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/invest-less-at-the-end-of-the-month-brokers-tend-to-push-stocks-at/)

[Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/)

> [Have the courage of your own convictions and don't be swayed by friends who boast about their financial home runs. Last year's winners are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/have-the-courage-of-your-own-convictions-and-don-t-be-swayed-by/)

[Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/)

> [Bet on black. Buy low-debt or no-debt companies. When the economy is in trouble, these companies usually have enough cash on hand to stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/bet-on-black-buy-low-debt-or-no-debt-companies-when-the-economy-is-in/)

[Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/)

> [Invest in vanity. Buy stocks in high-profile companies whose products are designed to make you feel good and look good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/invest-in-vanity-buy-stocks-in-high-profile-companies-whose-products/)

[Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/)

[Explore all 13 Nancy Dunnan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/)

## More Customer quotes

> [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/)

[Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/)

> [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/)

[Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/)

> [The purpose of this book is to supply, in the form suitable for laymen, guidance in the adoption and execution of an investment policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/the-purpose-of-this-book-is-to-supply-in-the-form-suitable-for-laymen/)

[Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/)

> [Don't think OF the market. Think AS the market.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-fishman/don-t-think-of-the-market-think-as-the-market/)

Michael Fishman

> [If Wall Street crashes, does Main Street follow? Not necessarily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-bernanke/if-wall-street-crashes-does-main-street-follow-not-necessarily/)

[Ben Bernanke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-bernanke/)

> [The exact details of how you practice value investing will vary investor to investor, but the fundamental principle of scouring the world, looking for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-tilson/the-exact-details-of-how-you-practice-value-investing-will-vary/)

[Whitney Tilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitney-tilson/)

> [The best way to hold customers is to constantly figure out how to give them more for less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-kotler/the-best-way-to-hold-customers-is-to-constantly-figure-out-how-to/)

[Philip Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-kotler/)

> [Perhaps the most important reason to be skeptical of government inflation numbers is that the government, like a fox campaigning to guard a hen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/perhaps-the-most-important-reason-to-be-skeptical-of-government/)

[Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/)

> [When the dollar collapses, it's not doing it in a vacuum. If the dollar loses value, it's doing so relative to some other currency.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/when-the-dollar-collapses-it-s-not-doing-it-in-a-vacuum-if-the-dollar/)

[Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/)

> [Corporations invest in sophisticated CRM, or Customer Relationship Management, programs to effectively oversee their relationship with their customers at every point during the buying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-ostrofsky/corporations-invest-in-sophisticated-crm-or-customer-relationship/)

[Marc Ostrofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-ostrofsky/)

> [I believe confusion is good. Worldwide market leaders gain when there is confusion in the market.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subhash-chandra/i-believe-confusion-is-good-worldwide-market-leaders-gain-when-there/)

[Subhash Chandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subhash-chandra/)

> [Damn inflation, full speed ahead,' Greenspan has said in both action and word. I think an investor should believe him and invest accordingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gross/damn-inflation-full-speed-ahead-greenspan-has-said-in-both-action-and/)

[Bill Gross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gross/)

> [“When companies get big, they devote most of their care and feeding to the business that got them big. This is as it should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schmidt/when-companies-get-big-they-devote-most-of-their-care-and-feeding-to/)

[Eric Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schmidt/)

> [“Salesmanship is usually the art of making it the prospect’s problem, the salesperson’s need or desire to earn money.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/salesmanship-is-usually-the-art-of-making-it-the-prospect-s-problem/)

[Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/)

[Browse all 9,257 Customer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Always leave a sinking ship. There's no virtue in hanging on to losers. And stocks don't have feelings.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Nancy Dunnan"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/always-leave-a-sinking-ship-there-s-no-virtue-in-hanging-on-to-losers/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Customer"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/always-leave-a-sinking-ship-there-s-no-virtue-in-hanging-on-to-losers/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/927/nancy-dunnan-36010_customer_always-leave-a-sinking-ship-there-s-no-v_21915.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/927/nancy-dunnan-36010_customer_always-leave-a-sinking-ship-there-s-no-v_21915.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/927/nancy-dunnan-36010_customer_always-leave-a-sinking-ship-there-s-no-v_21915.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Always leave a sinking ship. There's no virtue in hanging on to losers. And stocks don't have feelings.” — Nancy Dunnan",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Nancy Dunnan",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Always leave a sinking ship. There's...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/always-leave-a-sinking-ship-there-s-no-virtue-in-hanging-on-to-losers/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/always-leave-a-sinking-ship-there-s-no-virtue-in-hanging-on-to-losers/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
