📖John Templeton
Open Mind Philosophy
Keep an open mind and be willing to change.
Keep an open mind. The most important trait for an investor is not intellect but temperament. Be flexible and willing to change your mind.
🏠 Everyday Analogy
📖 Core Interpretation
John Templeton highlights that many investment mistakes are psychological, not analytical. Managing behavior under stress is as important as finding ideas.
💎 Key Insight：Flexibility and temperament matter more than intelligence.
AI Deep Analysis
Get personalized insights and practical guidance through AI conversation
❓ Why It Matters
In volatile markets, fear and greed push investors to buy high and sell low. A behavioral framework reduces avoidable, self-inflicted errors.
🎯 How to Practice
Pre-write decision rules, slow down trades during stress, and separate market emotion from business facts before adjusting positions.
⚠️ Common Pitfalls
Following crowd emotion at extremes
Mistaking confidence for certainty
Forcing trades to quickly recover losses
📚 Case Studies
1
Buying at Outbreak of WWII (1939)
Templeton borrowed money to buy 100 shares each of 104 depressed U.S. stocks under $1 as war began in Europe, based on research that pessimism was extreme and many firms were still fundamentally viable.
✨ Outcome：Within a few years most positions recovered or prospered, turning a small, risky purchase basket into a strong multi‑bagger and forming the basis of his contrarian, research‑driven reputation.
2
Early Investment in Post‑War Japan (1954)
Through on‑the‑ground research and analysis of balance sheets, Templeton invested in neglected Japanese companies during the 1950s, when the country was still rebuilding and foreign capital was scarce and skeptical.
✨ Outcome：As Japan industrialized and exports boomed, these unloved stocks multiplied in value, helping Templeton’s funds significantly outperform global benchmarks over the following decades.
See how masters handle real scenarios?
30 real investment dilemmas answered by legendary investors
Explore Scenarios →