Warren Buffett, one of the world’s most respected investors, has long maintained that his extraordinary success has little to do with secret strategies
or insider knowledge. Instead, the Berkshire Hathaway chairman and the chief executive officer credits continuous learning as the single most important factor behind his wealth creation. Buffett, who is set to step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway on December 31, 2025, has consistently underlined the power of reading, thinking and understanding businesses deeply. Even in his nineties, he is known to spend a significant portion of his day reading newspapers, company reports and books. For him, learning is not confined to classrooms or degrees but is a lifelong discipline. One of his most widely quoted lines, “The more you learn, the more you earn,” reflects this philosophy. Buffett has repeatedly explained that knowledge compounds over time, much like money. Each lesson, whether from a success or a mistake, adds to an investor’s ability to make better decisions and avoid unnecessary risks in the future. Importantly, Buffett’s idea of learning goes beyond formal education. He stresses the value of understanding how businesses operate, how management teams behave and how markets respond during periods of stress. This clarity, he believes, helps investors remain calm when others panic. According to Buffett, risk does not come from market volatility but from a lack of understanding. Buffett has also warned that many financial losses stem from acting without adequate knowledge. “Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing,” he has often said, reinforcing the link between education and capital preservation.
Who is Warren Buffett?
Warren Edward Buffett is an American investor and philanthropist who serves as chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a diversified conglomerate. Widely regarded as one of the most successful investors of all time, Buffett ranks among the richest individuals globally. As of May 2025, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$160.2 billion.For Buffett, learning was never a shortcut to instant wealth. It was the foundation of long-term success, built quietly and patiently over decades.
Some of his other popular quotes that reflect this mindset include:
- “Rule No. 1 is never lose money. Rule No. 2 is never forget Rule No. 1.”
- “If you aren’t willing to own a stock for 10 years, don’t even think about owning it for 10 minutes.”
- “Price is what you pay, value is what you get.”
- “The most important thing to do if you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging.”
- Together, Buffett’s words serve as a reminder that sustainable success, in investing and beyond, is rooted in patience, discipline and a commitment to lifelong learning.
- "You do things when the opportunities come along. I've had periods in my life when I've had a bundle of ideas come along, and I've had long, dry spells. If I get an idea next week, I’ll do something. If not, I won't do a damn thing.”
- "What we learn from history is that people don't learn from history."
- "The investor of today does not profit from yesterday’s growth."
- "Money is not everything. Make sure you earn a lot before speaking such nonsense."
- "Predicting rain doesn't count, building the ark does."
