The stock market is an excellent place to make money. NIFTY 50, India’s benchmark index, has delivered 14.9% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) in the last 20 years, beating assets like gold and real estate. Consequently, countless Indians trade and invest daily in the market, yet few remain profitable in the short and long term. These profitable investors and traders have experience and knowledge, but wisdom is what sets them apart.
They listen and learn from legendary investors and traders, instilling the same attitudes and beliefs in their psyche. Budding investors and those looking for a change in their portfolios’ fortunes should do the same. Compiled below is a list of the top share market motivational quotes from iconic investors and traders who went beyond charts to try and study the nature of the equity markets. Grab a pen and take notes.
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Top stock market motivational quotes
1. "The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient" – Warren Buffett
Warren Buffet needs no introduction. Easily the most celebrated investor of all time, Buffet has inspired millions to learn and invest in the market. He has written many books on equities and investing, sharing his philosophy with investors hoping to make a fortune in the market.
His quote highlighted above underscores the virtue of patience, which is something Buffett has spoken of repeatedly. The quote serves as a reminder that success in the stock market comes to those who can wait the longest.
2. "In investing, what is comfortable is rarely profitable" – Robert Arnott
Robert Arnott is an American investor and a pioneer of quantitative investing. In the above quote, Arnott highlights the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone to maximise returns. It is easy to invest based on a recommendation by a friend, colleague, or organisation. Investing independently is challenging because it requires work and demands that investors spend time learning about an industry or business.
Arnott potentially argues that comfortable investing, which is investing based on recommendation, is not as rewarding as investing independently after thorough research.
3. "The goal of a successful trader is to make the best trades. Money is secondary" – Alexander Elder
Russian author and professional trader Alexander Elder emphasises the value of strategy with the above quote. Most investors and traders measure success in the market by the money they make. Elder thinks otherwise, laying far more emphasis on the process. A customised investing or trading strategy is the foundation of winning trades, which in turn helps make money.
4. "It's not whether you are right or wrong, but how much money you make when you are right and how much you lose when you are wrong" – George Soros
Hedge fund tycoon George Soros is renowned for his views on investing. The above quote is particularly interesting because it sheds light on the importance of risk management. Almost all investors and traders get accurate trades, but their portfolios remain red. Soros explains why: Investors often win less money when they are right and lose more when they are wrong because they do not have the right understanding of risk and reward. It is vital to find the right balance to remain profitable consistently.
5. "The four most dangerous words in investing are: 'this time it is different'" – Sir John Templeton
Sir John Templeton was a successful American investor and banker who founded the Templeton Growth Fund. He had a lasting impact on the investing world, compiling his years of experience and wisdom in books. The above quote is his most remembered lesson because it focuses on shutting out the noise and making decisions based on facts. Investors must avoid investing based on advice centred on presumptuous ideas and study history to find clues.
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Bonus list of stock market quotes
Listed below are a few other popular stock market motivation quotes:
- "Opportunities come infrequently. When it rains gold, put out the bucket, not the thimble" – Warren Buffett
Here, Buffet pushes investors to gather courage and go all in when the market is underpriced. - "Don't look for the needle in the haystack. Just buy the haystack!" – John Bogle
American investor John Bogle stresses the value of index fund investing to diversify risk with the above quote. - Minimising downside risk while maximising the upside is a powerful concept" – Mohnish Pabrai
Mohnish Pabrai, an Indian-American investor and businessman, glimpses at the value of risk management in investing.
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Top 5 motivational quotes by Indian investors
India has produced several iconic investors, such as Radhakishan Damani, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and Pabrai. These gentlemen have profoundly impacted Indian equities and inspired millions of Indians to dream big. Compiled below is their wisdom in the form of share market motivational quotes.
- "Emotional investment is a sure way to make losses in stock markets" - Rakesh Jhunjhunwala
Jhunjhunwala, aka ‘The Big Bull,’ was a celebrity investor who made millions in the market. He shared his learnings from the market regularly in the media, with the above quote especially important in this day and age where investors are overburdened with information. According to Jhunjhunwala, investors must keep emotions aside to succeed in the market. - “Don’t always trust what you see. In a bull market, even a duck looks like a swan” - Vijay Kedia
Vijay Kedia is a famous Indian investor known for his unique ability to identify undervalued companies. With the above quote, Kedia informs investors that bull markets can be misleading. Investors must exercise caution when operating in bull markets and should only buy companies with strong fundamentals. - “Don’t follow the herd” - Radhakishan Damani
Radhakishan Damani is the founder of Avenue Supermarts and a billionaire investor. Like Kedia, Damani is known for investing in undervalued and unknown companies and making a fortune on them over time. The above quote highlights his approach to investing: Damani exercises caution when an industry or company catches the limelight. He urges investors to make unique investment decisions and avoid following the herd.
Conclusion
Motivation plays a defining role in the stock market. A lack of motivation can leave investors confused and lead to mistakes. Listening to or reading books and public talks by market veterans can help investors stay motivated, as Buffett, Jhunjhunwala, and Damani have survived all market conditions and made it big.
