There are no sure and easy paths to riches… and that’s the first thing every investor needs to accept. It’s a reality check from one of the greatest financial minds, a warning against get-rich-quick schemes and a call for disciplined, patient work.
Share Image Quote:At its core, this quote is a profound rejection of financial shortcuts. It means that sustainable wealth isn’t handed to you; it’s built.
Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times. People want the secret formula, the one stock tip, the crypto that will 10x overnight. Graham is telling us, point blank, that this is a fantasy. The real path to building lasting wealth is… frankly, kind of boring. It’s about consistent, disciplined work—doing the fundamental analysis, understanding the value of what you’re buying, and having the emotional fortitude to stick to your plan when the market gets crazy. It’s not easy. And anyone who tells you it is, is probably selling something. The “anywhere else” part is key, too. It applies to building a business, a career, anything of real value. There are no shortcuts to anything worth having.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (4143) |
| Category | Success (385) |
| Topics | discipline (265), effort (83), reality (20) |
| Literary Style | direct (446), plain (157) |
| Emotion / Mood | realistic (403), serious (185) |
| Overall Quote Score | 77 (181) |
This wisdom comes straight from the 1949 first edition of Benjamin Graham’s “The Intelligent Investor,” written in the United States. It’s often misattributed to Warren Buffett, but he was just the student; Graham was the original master who laid down this foundational principle.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Benjamin Graham (48) |
| Source Type | Book (4756) |
| Source/Book Name | The Intelligent Investor (48) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Modern (898) |
| Original Language | English (4143) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4756) |
Benjamin Graham, well known for investing community has brought investing to masses by focussing on analysis and risk control. After graduating from Columbia University, co-founded the Graham Newman Corporation. Benjamin Graham book list covers Security Analysis and The Intelligent Investor which shaped many generations of professionals. He is regarded as a mentor to Warren Buffett as his ideas form the basis of value investing.
| Quotation | There are no sure and easy paths to riches, in finance or anywhere else |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 1949; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-0060555665; Last edition: Revised Edition by Jason Zweig (2006), 640 pages. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 1, Approximate page 21 from 2006 edition |
Graham wrote this in the aftermath of the 1929 crash and the Great Depression. He’d seen firsthand the devastation that came from speculative, “easy path” thinking. The entire book is his antidote to that madness, teaching a method of investing that is the polar opposite of gambling.
You can use this quote as a powerful reality check in a few key situations:
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Theme | Wisdom (2075) |
| Audiences | entrepreneurs (1092), investors (195), leaders (3030), students (3601) |
| Usage Context/Scenario | career guidance (48), discipline training (10), finance literacy classes (1), motivation talks (17) |
Question: Does this mean it’s impossible to get rich quickly?
Answer: Not impossible, but highly improbable and incredibly risky. For every lottery winner, there are millions who lost. Graham’s point is that you shouldn’t *plan* your financial life around a low-probability event.
Question: So what IS the “intelligent” path, if it’s not easy?
Answer: The intelligent path is one of consistent, margin-of-safety-driven investing. It’s about buying value, diversifying, and reinvesting over a long, long time. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Question: How does this apply outside of finance?
Answer: Perfectly. Think about building a successful career or a strong relationship. There’s no hack. It requires showing up, doing the work, communicating, and putting in the time. The principle is universal.
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