Edward Quince’s Wisdom Bites: Crafting a Joyful Life and Legacy [Buffett Birthday Celebration Edition]

Beyond the realm of finance, Warren Buffett shares profound wisdom on how to live a truly rich and fulfilling life. He encourages us to think about our legacy early: "Write your obituary and try to figure out how to live up to it". This challenge prompts self-reflection on what truly matters. He profoundly notes, "I've never known anybody who was kind that died without friends. But I've known plenty of people with money that died without friends", underscoring the enduring value of human connection over material wealth.

A significant part of personal well-being, according to Buffett, is happiness, which contributes to health. He observes, "I think I stay healthy partly by being happy. It really helps if your stomach isn't grinding all the time [because] you're doing things you don't want to do or you're working with people [you don't like]. I'll usually sleep 8 hours a night". This highlights the importance of aligning one's work and relationships with genuine enjoyment. He advises, "Go to work for whomever you admire the most. You can't get a bad result. You'll jump out of bed in the morning".

Buffett advocates for a life of integrity, both professionally and personally. He encourages being tactical in interactions, even when setting boundaries: "You can always tell someone to go to hell tomorrow", and "Praise by name, criticize by category". He also emphasizes the importance of sharing good fortune, stating, "If you're lucky in life, make sure that a bunch of other people are lucky, too". His personal financial advice is simple yet powerful: "You should spend a little bit less than you earn". He also offers advice to politicians, reminding them of the need to "maintain a stable currency" with "wisdom and vigilance".

Buffett believes that life rewards perseverance and an openness to seizing opportunities, noting that "a funny thing about life: if you refuse to accept anything but the best you very often get it". Ultimately, his wisdom on living well revolves around integrity, meaningful relationships, thoughtful choices that foster happiness, and a commitment to contributing positively to the world around us.