Bernard Baruch Quotes

Powerful Bernard Baruch for Daily Growth

About Bernard Baruch

Bernard Baruch (1870-1965) was an influential American financier, philanthropist, political consultant, and statesman, whose astute insights and wit left a lasting impact on the 20th century. Born to immigrant parents in Camden, South Carolina, Baruch developed a keen intellect early, demonstrating prodigious academic abilities that earned him admission to Columbia University at just 16 years old. Baruch's career took off during the stock market boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He became a self-made millionaire through shrewd investments, primarily in the burgeoning steel industry. However, he is perhaps best known for his advisory role to President Woodrow Wilson during World War I and as a key architect of the post-war peace treaty. In 1932, Baruch was appointed to the National Defense Advisory Commission by President Hoover. His most famous quote, "Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind," was delivered during a speech on disarmament at the Senate Warford Hearing in 1936. He served as a consultant to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, particularly with regard to economic issues and foreign affairs during World War II. Baruch's major works include "Baruch's Gold Corner" (1928), which detailed his successful investments in the gold market, and "The Public Issues of Today: A Self-Interpretation" (1957). Throughout his life, Baruch demonstrated a profound commitment to public service, using his wealth to support educational institutions and various charitable causes. In 1928, he established the Baruch College in New York City, providing opportunities for thousands of students from diverse backgrounds. His legacy endures not only as a shrewd investor and astute political strategist but also as a dedicated public servant who championed peace, education, and social justice.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

This quote by Bernard Baruch encourages authenticity and self-expression. It suggests that one should not be afraid to express their true selves or feelings, as the opinions of people who disapprove or judge are unimportant (those who "mind don't matter). On the other hand, the opinions of those who truly value and understand you (those who "matter") will appreciate your authenticity and genuine emotions. Essentially, Baruch is emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself and embracing vulnerability in relationships where honesty and understanding are valued.


"The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers."

This quote by Bernard Baruch emphasizes the importance of cultivating future leaders within existing leadership roles, rather than creating more followers who blindly obey. Effective leadership should aim to inspire, educate, and empower others to lead independently, fostering a culture of growth, innovation, and collective progress.


"Luck is when opportunity meets preparation."

The quote emphasizes that success isn't just a matter of chance or luck, but rather the result of being prepared to seize an opportunity when it presents itself. It suggests that those who are well-prepared, equipped with knowledge, skills, and foresight, are more likely to make the most of opportunities as they arise, hence increasing their chances of success. This quote serves as a reminder that while we cannot control the opportunities life brings us, we can control our readiness to capitalize on them when they come.


"Too many people spend money they earned..to buy things they don't want..to impress people that they don't like."

This quote by Bernard Baruch highlights a common issue in modern society, where people prioritize material possessions over personal happiness and meaningful relationships. The statement suggests that individuals often spend their hard-earned money on items that hold little value to them personally, merely to project a certain image or status to others whom they may not even appreciate or respect. This pattern of behavior can lead to financial strain, emotional dissatisfaction, and a lack of authentic connections with others. Instead, Baruch encourages us to prioritize our values and focus on experiences and relationships that truly matter in life.


"We are interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives."

This quote by Bernard Baruch emphasizes the importance of focusing on the future rather than dwelling on the past or present. It suggests that our lives are continuous journeys and the future represents a significant portion of this journey. By being interested in what lies ahead, we position ourselves for growth, change, and progress, ultimately shaping our destiny. This forward-looking mindset encourages us to make informed decisions and seize opportunities to achieve our goals and aspirations.


Only as you do know yourself can your brain serve you as a sharp and efficient tool. Know your own failings, passions, and prejudices so you can separate them from what you see.

- Bernard Baruch

Know Yourself, Prejudices, Efficient

Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why.

- Bernard Baruch

Leadership, Fall, Apple, Asked

If a speculator is correct half of the time, he is hitting a good average. Even being right 3 or 4 times out of 10 should yield a person a fortune if he has the sense to cut his losses quickly on the ventures where he is wrong.

- Bernard Baruch

Average, Cut, Half, Yield

Most of the successful people I've known are the ones who do more listening than talking.

- Bernard Baruch

Listening, More, Talking, Successful People

Age is only a number, a cipher for the records. A man can't retire his experience. He must use it. Experience achieves more with less energy and time.

- Bernard Baruch

More, Records, Use, Retire

During my eighty-seven years I have witnessed a whole succession of technological revolutions. But none of them has done away with the need for character in the individual or the ability to think.

- Bernard Baruch

Think, Succession, Witnessed, Technological

A political leader must keep looking over his shoulder all the time to see if the boys are still there. If they aren't still there, he's no longer a political leader.

- Bernard Baruch

Leader, Over, Still, Shoulder

Vote for the man who promises least; he'll be the least disappointing.

- Bernard Baruch

Man, Politics, Least, Vote

Whatever failures I have known, whatever errors I have committed, whatever follies I have witnessed in private and public life have been the consequence of action without thought.

- Bernard Baruch

Committed, Been, Witnessed, Errors

I never lost money by turning a profit.

- Bernard Baruch

Money, Lost, Never, Profit

The main purpose of the stock market is to make fools of as many men as possible.

- Bernard Baruch

Men, Stock Market, Market, Fools

You can talk about capitalism and communism and all that sort of thing, but the important thing is the struggle everybody is engaged in to get better living conditions, and they are not interested too much in government.

- Bernard Baruch

Everybody, Engaged, About, Struggle

We did not all come over on the same ship, but we are all in the same boat.

- Bernard Baruch

Ship, Over, Same, Boat

Let us not be deceived we are today in the midst of a cold war.

- Bernard Baruch

Today, Deceived, Let Us, Cold War

The greatest blessing of our democracy is freedom. But in the last analysis, our only freedom is the freedom to discipline ourselves.

- Bernard Baruch

Freedom, Only, Last, Greatest Blessing

Unless each man produces more than he receives, increases his output, there will be less for him than all the others.

- Bernard Baruch

Will, More, Less, Receives

There is something about inside information which seems to paralyse a man's reasoning powers.

- Bernard Baruch

Power, Reasoning, Which, Powers

When good news about the market hits the front page of the New York Times, sell.

- Bernard Baruch

News, New, Good News, New York Times

Old books that have ceased to be of service should no more be abandoned than should old friends who have ceased to give pleasure.

- Bernard Baruch

Give, Old, More, Old Friends

Nobody ever lost money taking a profit.

- Bernard Baruch

Money, Lost, Ever, Profit

Never pay the slightest attention to what a company president ever says about his stock.

- Bernard Baruch

Never, Ever, His, Slightest

Let us not deceive ourselves; we must elect world peace or world destruction.

- Bernard Baruch

World, World Peace, Let Us, Elect

We can't cross that bridge until we come to it, but I always like to lay down a pontoon ahead of time.

- Bernard Baruch

Always, Like, Lay, Bridge

One of the secrets of a long and fruitful life is to forgive everybody everything everynight before you go to bed.

- Bernard Baruch

Forgiveness, Bed, Everybody, Secrets

If the history of the past fifty years teaches us anything, it is that peace does not follow disarmament - disarmament follows peace.

- Bernard Baruch

Past, Fifty, Follows, Disarmament

To me - old age is always ten years older than I am.

- Bernard Baruch

Birthday, Old, Always, Older

There are no such things as incurable, there are only things for which man has not found a cure.

- Bernard Baruch

Found, Which, Incurable, Such Things

We grow neither better or worse as we get old, but more like ourselves.

- Bernard Baruch

Grow, Better, Like, Neither

The art of living lies not in eliminating but in growing with troubles.

- Bernard Baruch

Art, Growing, Living, Troubles

Every man has a right to his opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts.

- Bernard Baruch

Man, His, Every Man, Opinion

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