Your top 5 favorite quotes that you relate to finances

[TexasHusker]

If everyone will chill out a little this might be fun. The quotes we rely on probably provide a lot of insight as to our risk tolerances and investment approach. Here are my top 5:

1. Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach him to fish...

2. If you're gonna be a bear, might as well make it a grizzly.

3. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

4. Penny wise, pound foolish.

5. Good things come to those who wait, but not for those who wait too late.

[disneysteve]

I know #2 is your signature, but what does it mean and how does it relate to finance?

[TexasHusker]

I know #2 is your signature, but what does it mean and how does it relate to finance?

I'm so glad you asked.

The earliest known quotation of this appeared in a short story called “An Inside Tip” by George Hyde Preston published in “Cosmopolitan Magazine” in 1908. Within the story, the leader of a brokerage firm was planning to drive down the price of a stock, and he expressed his attitude by proclaiming the adage:

“Let me see; how many points did the stock go off in the last hour yesterday?”

“Seven, and it closed very weak.”

“Quite so Blair. Now today the word is, hammer it! We have them on the run. Order our brokers to raid the stock. No half measures! If you are going to be a bear, make it a grizzly!"

To put it another way, the term means if you are going to do something, go all in, go big, and let there be no questions as to what your intentions were.

[GoodSteward]

Mine is also my signature.

"Everything happens for a reason, sometimes that reason is your stupid and make bad choices."

[AJ444]

"What is the point of having f u money if you never say f u."

"The only enemy more dangerous than a person with unlimited resources is one with nothing to lose."

"A good matador doesn't try to kill a fresh bull. You wait until he's been stuck a few times."

[97guns]

Never spend your money before you have earned it. Thomas Jefferson




“If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks…will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered…. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.” – Thomas Jefferson in the debate over the Re-charter of the Bank Bill (1809)




“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.” –Thomas Jefferson




“… The modern theory of the perpetuation of debt has drenched the earth with blood, and crushed its inhabitants under burdens ever accumulating.” -Thomas Jefferson

[corn18]

LBYM: Live Below Your Means

I also like the quote I had on my door as a Naval Officer:

The Stupid Shall be Punished

And

In God we trust, all others bring data.

My favorites for my company:

It's easy to do the right thing

Tell yourself the truth

What gets measured gets done

Quality is free

A plan without resources is bunk

For my engineers:

Hope is not a strategy

[scfr]

Here are some that, while not specifically about finances, have inspired my financial life at various points in my life.

"Wake up and smell the coffee."

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

"Just do it."

"When you get the choice to sit it out or dance . . . dance."

"Failure is not an option."

I also like Colin Powell's 13 life rules very much.

And FWIW, if I were a bear I'd wanna be a polar bear.

[Jluke]

Where are the customers' yachts? (Walk down Wall Street)

Stand there; don't do anything. (Buffet - When the market crashes)

An investor's return is inversely related to his investment activity. (Buffet)

If you don't have the cash to pay for it, you can't afford it. (Me??)

[Thrif-t]

Most of mine have already been posted but here's one by Warren Buffet:

“Be Fearful When Others Are Greedy and Greedy When Others Are Fearful”

Good Steward I like your signature I might have to start using that!

The quote that I throw around all the time is: "It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.
Whitney M. Young, Jr.
American Civil Rights Leader

I say that A LOT to my kids who are in high school and college

[StormRichards]

Here are some that, while not specifically about finances, have inspired my financial life at various points in my life.

It is difficult to soar like an eagle when you are surrounded by pigeons

when you are on top of the world, there is always someone trying to knock you down

[kork13]

A favorite military adage that applies to finance as well: The "KISS" principle -- "Keep It Simple, Stupid."

Similar: "A good plan executed today is better than a perfect plan executed next week."

Thrif-t already beat me to my favorite from Warren Buffet.

[TexasHusker]

I forgot this one:

Don't trust whitey, go to doctor get rid of it.

[97guns]

Randall McCoy: We won. I won. Blessed baby Jesus.

In homage to Bill Paxton

[StormRichards]

Randall McCoy: We won. I won. Blessed baby Jesus.

In homage to Bill Paxton

RIP Chet

I'm gonna tell Mom and Dad everything. I'm even considering makin' up some ****!