In a world where markets often promote constant activity, Warren Buffett stands out for his legendary patience. How long is he willing to wait for the right investment opportunity? As long as it takes.
Speaking at the 1998 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, Buffett explained his approach: “We wait indefinitely. We are not going to buy anything just to buy something. We will only buy something if we think we’re getting something attractive.”
For Buffett, patience isn’t passive—it’s strategic. “If the money piles up, the money piles up,” he said. “When we see something that makes sense, we’re willing to act very fast, very big. But we’re not willing to act on anything that doesn’t check out in our view.”
Buffett’s philosophy highlights the value of discipline in investing. “You don’t get paid for activity,” he noted. “You only get paid for being right.”
For investors, it’s a timeless lesson: patience often leads to better decisions and greater rewards.
Hear Buffett’s full explanation
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© 2024 David Mazor
Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.