54 timeless quotes on investing and life
"The four most dangerous words in investing are: 'This time it is different.'"
— John Templeton
"Bull markets are born on pessimism, grow on skepticism, mature on optimism, and die on euphoria."
— John Templeton
"The time of maximum pessimism is the best time to buy, and the time of maximum optimism is the best time to sell."
— John Templeton
"Bull markets are born on pessimism, grow on skepticism, mature on optimism, and die on euphoria. The time of maximum pessimism is the best time to buy."Read Full Analysis →
"If you search worldwide, you will find more bargains and better bargains than by studying only one nation. The best values are found where others aren't looking."Read Full Analysis →
"The best opportunities are found in the most neglected, overlooked, and unloved parts of the market. That's where the real bargains hide."Read Full Analysis →
"The time to buy the best quality stocks is when they are temporarily depressed. Quality always recovers, but you must have patience."Read Full Analysis →
"Companies with strong balance sheets can survive adversity and emerge stronger. Financial strength is the foundation of long-term survival."Read Full Analysis →
"Look for companies whose management has a proven track record of creating shareholder value. Past performance of management is the best predictor."Read Full Analysis →
"Before making any investment, study the situation thoroughly. Know everything about the company, the industry, and the country."Read Full Analysis →
"Expand your knowledge beyond your home country. The investor who studies only domestic markets is like the farmer who plants only one crop."Read Full Analysis →
"Never invest in a company you can't explain simply. If you don't understand it, you can't evaluate its prospects."Read Full Analysis →
"It is impossible to produce superior performance unless you do something different from the majority. To buy when others are despondently selling requires the greatest fortitude."Read Full Analysis →
"The only investors who shouldn't diversify are those who are right 100% of the time. Diversify across nations and across industries."Read Full Analysis →
"For all long-term investors, there is only one objective: maximum real total return after taxes. Never forget the erosion of inflation."Read Full Analysis →
"If you buy the same securities everyone else is buying, you will have the same results. Patience to hold undervalued stocks until they recover is essential."Read Full Analysis →
"I never ask if the market is going to go up or down because I don't know. I buy bargains and hold for an average of five years."Read Full Analysis →
"The best time to invest is when you have money. Attempting to time the market is a losing strategy over the long run."Read Full Analysis →
"People who buy for price trends, technical charts, or momentum are speculating. An investor buys what has good fundamental value."Read Full Analysis →
"The best bargains come during periods of crisis when fear drives prices far below intrinsic value. Crisis creates opportunity for the prepared investor."Read Full Analysis →
"To find the best bargains, focus on the most unpopular countries and the most unpopular industries within those countries."Read Full Analysis →
"The only reason to sell a stock is when you find a much better bargain to replace it. Always upgrade your portfolio toward better value."Read Full Analysis →
"Regularly review your investments. Markets change, companies change, and values change. What was a bargain may no longer be one."Read Full Analysis →
"When an investment's price rises far above its intrinsic value, sell it. The discipline to sell into euphoria is as important as the courage to buy into panic."Read Full Analysis →
"To buy when others are despondently selling and to sell when others are avidly buying requires the greatest fortitude and pays the greatest reward."Read Full Analysis →
"An investor who has all the answers doesn't even understand the questions. Humility is the foundation of good judgment in markets."Read Full Analysis →
"A thankful heart leads to greater prosperity. Begin each day with gratitude and prayer, and your judgment will be clearer."Read Full Analysis →
"An investor who concentrates on just one market is like a person who lives in one room of a mansion. Look everywhere for the best values."Read Full Analysis →
"How wonderful it would be if we could help people develop the same type of devotion for helping others as they have for buying stocks. Invest with purpose beyond profit."Read Full Analysis →
"Keep an open mind. The most important trait for an investor is not intellect but temperament. Be flexible and willing to change your mind."Read Full Analysis →
"When analyzing an industry, look at it from a global perspective. An industry that's mature in one country may be growing rapidly in another."Read Full Analysis →
"Judge a company's competitive advantage in the context of global competition. A domestic leader may be vulnerable to international competitors."Read Full Analysis →
"Companies in emerging markets often grow faster than those in developed markets. The key is finding quality companies at reasonable prices in growing economies."Read Full Analysis →
"Those who give generously receive more than they give. True wealth is measured not by what you accumulate but by what you give back."Read Full Analysis →
"The more you learn, the more you earn. Never stop learning about markets, companies, countries, and human nature."Read Full Analysis →
"Success in investing requires not superior intellect but superior character: patience, discipline, and the courage to act against the crowd."Read Full Analysis →
"To get the best returns, search for companies worldwide with the lowest price-to-earnings ratios and the best growth prospects."Read Full Analysis →
"My approach has always been to look for companies whose stock is selling for less than its true worth. Like finding ten-dollar bills selling for five dollars."Read Full Analysis →
"The stock that everyone is talking about is usually the most overpriced. The best values are found in the forgotten corners of the market."Read Full Analysis →
"The four most dangerous words in investing are 'this time it's different.' Fear and greed always drive markets to extremes."Read Full Analysis →
"Successful investing requires emotional discipline. You must be willing to stand alone against the crowd when your analysis says the crowd is wrong."Read Full Analysis →
"The time of maximum optimism is the best time to sell, and the time of maximum pessimism is the best time to buy. This is the essence of understanding Mr. Market."Read Full Analysis →
"Bull markets are born on pessimism, grow on skepticism, mature on optimism, and die on euphoria. Know where you are in the cycle."Read Full Analysis →
"Stock prices fluctuate much more than values. Most people get confused between the price of a stock and its value. Price is what you pay; value is what you get."Read Full Analysis →
"Invest for maximum total real return. Invest, don't trade or speculate. Remain flexible and open-minded about types of investment. Buy low, sell high. Have a systematic approach."Read Full Analysis →
"Begin each meeting with a prayer. Spiritual principles applied to investing lead to greater wisdom, patience, and humility — the foundations of good investment judgment."Read Full Analysis →
"Keep meticulous records of every investment decision, the reasoning behind it, and the outcome. This self-audit system is essential for improvement."Read Full Analysis →
"The time to sell is before the crash, not after. Sell when optimism is at its peak and better opportunities exist elsewhere."Read Full Analysis →
"It is impossible to produce superior performance unless you do something different from the majority. Be flexible in your approach."Read Full Analysis →
"Never buy a stock without thorough research. Know what you own and why you own it."Read Full Analysis →
"The only investors who shouldn't diversify are those who are right 100% of the time. For the rest of us, patience and diversification are key."Read Full Analysis →
"An investor who has all the answers doesn't even understand the questions. Humility is essential for long-term success."Read Full Analysis →
"If you want to have a better performance than the crowd, you must do things differently from the crowd."Read Full Analysis →
"Search for value where others aren't looking. The best opportunities are often in the most unpopular sectors or countries."Read Full Analysis →
"The best bargains are often in countries that other investors have abandoned. Think globally, not just domestically."Read Full Analysis →
"The four most dangerous words in investing are: 'This time it's different.' Markets cycle. Human nature doesn't change."Read Full Analysis →
"Bull markets are born on pessimism, grow on skepticism, mature on optimism, and die on euphoria. The time of maximum pessimism is the best time to buy."Read Full Analysis →
"The four most dangerous words in investing are: 'This time it is different.'"
We have curated 54 verified John Templeton quotes, each with source attribution and in-depth analysis.
John Templeton frequently discusses value investing, risk management, and long-term thinking.