Skip to content

Buffets Quote by Warren Buffett

“Investors should remember that excitement and expenses are their enemies. And if they insist on trying to time their participation in equities, they should try to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful.” quote by Warren Buffett
Download Open image
“Investors should remember that excitement and expenses are their enemies. And if they insist on trying to time their participation in equities, they should try to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful.”

Warren Buffett

About This Quote

Source Speech: Annual Shareholder Letter, Berkshire Hathaway, 1996

Investors should avoid letting excitement or costs drive decisions; instead, they should be cautious when markets are overly optimistic and bold when they are pessimistic.

In simple terms: Don’t let excitement or costs dictate investing; be cautious in optimism and bold in pessimism.

Key Takeaway

Be contrarian: fear when others are greedy, greed when others are fearful.

Themes

investment behavior psychology contrarianism risk management

Mood

cautious analytical contrarian

Type

advice financial psychological

When to use this quote

  • stock market timing
  • portfolio allocation
  • risk assessment
  • financial planning
  • market sentiment analysis

Key Concepts

behavioral finance market cycles contrarian strategy emotional discipline

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you measure when market sentiment is extreme?
  • What safeguards can prevent emotional decision‑making?
A Different Perspective

Timing markets is notoriously unreliable; over‑reacting to sentiment can cause missed opportunities.

2.0 out of 5 (5 ratings)

More by Warren Buffett

Explore all 984 Warren Buffett quotes

More Buffets quotes

Browse all 123 Buffets quotes