--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The single greatest edge an investor can…" description: "\"The single greatest edge an investor can have is a long-term orientation.\" — Seth Klarman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/279/seth-klarman-1979_edges_the-single-greatest-edge-an-investor-can_2631650.png" --- # The single greatest edge an investor can have is a… ![“The single greatest edge an investor can have is a long-term orientation.” quote by Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/279/seth-klarman-1979_edges_the-single-greatest-edge-an-investor-can_2631650.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/279/seth-klarman-1979_edges_the-single-greatest-edge-an-investor-can_2631650.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/279/seth-klarman-1979_edges_the-single-greatest-edge-an-investor-can_2631650.png) > “The single greatest edge an investor can have is a long-term orientation.” [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Long‑term perspective gives investors a decisive advantage. **In simple terms:** Patience beats short‑term hype. Key Takeaway Invest with a horizon mindset. Themes investment patience strategy time horizon Mood calm strategic Type financial educational When to use this quote - retirement planning - portfolio building - market cycles - wealth preservation Key Concepts value investing behavioral finance risk management Questions to Reflect On - How can you resist market noise? - What long‑term metrics matter most? A Different Perspective Short‑term volatility can tempt rash moves. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Investor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investor/) [Investors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investors/) [Long term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-term/) [Orientation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orientation/) ## Related quotes > [My view is that an investor is better off knowing a lot about a few investments than knowing a little about each of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/my-view-is-that-an-investor-is-better-off-knowing-a-lot-about-a-few/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [It’s waiting that helps you as an investor, and a lot of people just can’t stand to wait. If you didn’t get the deferred-gratification…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/it-s-waiting-that-helps-you-as-an-investor-and-a-lot-of-people-just/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [A good investor in this new world knows to always expect the unexpected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cramer/a-good-investor-in-this-new-world-knows-to-always-expect-the/) [Jim Cramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cramer/) > [The determining trait of the enterprising (or active, or aggressive) investor is his willingness to devote time and care to the selection of securities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/the-determining-trait-of-the-enterprising-or-active-or-aggressive/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [Nothing turns off an investor more than when an entrepreneur comes in with a ridiculous valuation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-harrington/nothing-turns-off-an-investor-more-than-when-an-entrepreneur-comes-in/) [Kevin Harrington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-harrington/) > [It is the duty of the long-term investor to endure great losses with equanimity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-keynes/it-is-the-duty-of-the-long-term-investor-to-endure-great-losses-with/) [John Maynard Keynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-keynes/) > [Long-term investing has gotten so popular, it's easier to admit you're a crack addict than to admit you're a short-term investor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lynch/long-term-investing-has-gotten-so-popular-it-s-easier-to-admit-you-re/) [Peter Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lynch/) > [An investor calculates what a stock is worth, based on the value of its businesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/an-investor-calculates-what-a-stock-is-worth-based-on-the-value-of/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [I am probably the biggest equity investor in the history of modern Russia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-lebedev/i-am-probably-the-biggest-equity-investor-in-the-history-of-modern/) [Alexander Lebedev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-lebedev/) > [A decade ago, I really did believe that the average investor could do it himself. I was wrong. I've come to the sad conclusion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-bernstein/a-decade-ago-i-really-did-believe-that-the-average-investor-could-do/) [William J. Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-bernstein/) > [Wealth is not determined by investment performance, but by investor behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-murray/wealth-is-not-determined-by-investment-performance-but-by-investor/) [Nick Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-murray/) > [Traditionally the investor has been the man with patience and the courage of his convictions who would buy when the harried or disheartened speculator…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/traditionally-the-investor-has-been-the-man-with-patience-and-the/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [I like putting my money into things like food and shelter. I'm probably a bad example of an investor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-baker/i-like-putting-my-money-into-things-like-food-and-shelter-i-m/) [Simon Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-baker/) > [Smart tech investor thinks about: a) future product roadmap, b) bottoms-up market size & growth, c) talent and skill of team. Essentially you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-andreessen/smart-tech-investor-thinks-about-a-future-product-roadmap-b-bottoms/) [Marc Andreessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-andreessen/) > [The most important quality for an investor is temperament, not intellect. You need a temperament that neither derives great pleasure from being with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/the-most-important-quality-for-an-investor-is-temperament-not/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) ## More by Seth Klarman > [Unlike return, however, risk is no more quantifiable at the end of an investment that it was at its beginning. Risk simply cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/unlike-return-however-risk-is-no-more-quantifiable-at-the-end-of-an/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Because investors are not usually penalized for adhering to conventional practices, doing so is the less professionally risky strategy, even though it virtually guarantees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/because-investors-are-not-usually-penalized-for-adhering-to/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Value investing is risk aversion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/value-investing-is-risk-aversion/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Be focused on process and not outcome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/be-focused-on-process-and-not-outcome/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [There is an old saying, "How did you go bankrupt?" And the answer is, "Gradually, and then suddenly." The impending fiscal crisis in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/there-is-an-old-saying-how-did-you-go-bankrupt-and-the-answer-is/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [In a rising market, everyone makes money and a value philosophy is unnecessary. But because there is no certain way to predict what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/in-a-rising-market-everyone-makes-money-and-a-value-philosophy-is/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Ultimately, nothing should be more important to investors than the ability to sleep soundly at night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/ultimately-nothing-should-be-more-important-to-investors-than-the/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [The best protection against risk is knowing what you are doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/the-best-protection-against-risk-is-knowing-what-you-are-doing/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Warren Buffett once wrote that value investing is like an inoculation--it either takes or it doesn't--and when you explain to somebody what it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/warren-buffett-once-wrote-that-value-investing-is-like-an-inoculation/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [It is important to remember that value investing is not a perfect science. It is an, with an ongoing need for judgment, refinement, patience,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/it-is-important-to-remember-that-value-investing-is-not-a-perfect/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Value investing is at its core the marriage of a contrarian streak and a calculator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/value-investing-is-at-its-core-the-marriage-of-a-contrarian-streak/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [The avoidance of loss is the surest way to ensure a profitable outcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/the-avoidance-of-loss-is-the-surest-way-to-ensure-a-profitable-outcome/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Do not suffer interim losses, relish and appreciate them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/do-not-suffer-interim-losses-relish-and-appreciate-them/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Ratings agencies are highly conflicted, unimaginative dupes. They are blissfully unaware of adverse selection and moral hazard. Investors should never trust them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/ratings-agencies-are-highly-conflicted-unimaginative-dupes-they-are/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [It is crucial to have a strategy in place before problems hit, precisely because no one can accurately predict the future direction of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/it-is-crucial-to-have-a-strategy-in-place-before-problems-hit/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) [Explore all 193 Seth Klarman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) ## More Edges quotes > [I think the next 50 years are going to present the human race with challenges that so far exceed the limitations of geopolitical boundaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-think-the-next-50-years-are-going-to-present-the-human-race-with/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [The old men of the village of Mahotière say that the Mistress of the Water is a mulatto woman. At midnight she comes out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-roumain/the-old-men-of-the-village-of-mahoti-re-say-that-the-mistress-of-the/) [Jacques Roumain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-roumain/) > [If you're having a bad day already and everybody is just asking you petty questions, it drives people to the edge, or something really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-weixler/if-you-re-having-a-bad-day-already-and-everybody-is-just-asking-you/) [Jess Weixler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-weixler/) > [What's the difference between obsolete and cutting edge? Obsolete works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-negroponte/what-s-the-difference-between-obsolete-and-cutting-edge-obsolete-works/) [Nicholas Negroponte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-negroponte/) > [I've been in real estate for a long time and I always try to stay on the edge. I'm really excited about the partnership…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mc-hammer/i-ve-been-in-real-estate-for-a-long-time-and-i-always-try-to-stay-on/) [MC Hammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mc-hammer/) > [To be a champion long-distance runner you have to run on the edge of death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toshihiko-seko/to-be-a-champion-long-distance-runner-you-have-to-run-on-the-edge-of/) Toshihiko Seko > [I had rather be a Kitten, and cry mew, Than one of these same Meeter Ballad-mongers: I had rather heare a Brazen Candlestick turn'd,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-had-rather-be-a-kitten-and-cry-mew-than-one-of-these-same-meeter/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Early on a difficult climb, especially a solo climb, you’re hyper-aware of the abyss pulling at your back, constantly feeling its call, its immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/early-on-a-difficult-climb-especially-a-solo-climb-you-re-hyper-aware/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [ They \[scientists of centuries past\] call on God only from the lonely and precarious edge of incomprehension. Where they feel certain about their explanations,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/they-scientists-of-centuries-past-call-on-god-only-from-the-lonely/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [I'm on the edge with you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-gaga/i-m-on-the-edge-with-you/) [Lady Gaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-gaga/) > [You'd chosen to be an upright biped on the surface of a small planet of a minor sun on the edge of a minor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/you-d-chosen-to-be-an-upright-biped-on-the-surface-of-a-small-planet/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [Close to the Edge by Yes. Such a fun tune to play on bass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-acton/close-to-the-edge-by-yes-such-a-fun-tune-to-play-on-bass/) [Brian Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-acton/) > [It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. 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