Jesse Lauriston Livermore, born on July 26, 1877, in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, was a pioneering stock trader and speculator whose life story captivated the financial world. Known as the “Boy Plunger,” he started trading at age 14 and became famous for amassing and losing multiple fortunes, including massive gains during the 1907 bank panic and the 1929 stock market crash. Livermore’s career highlights include his role as a self-taught market wizard and the inspiration for the classic book “Reminiscences of a Stock Operator.” His notable achievements encompass influencing modern trading strategies and sharing profound life lessons through his writings and interviews. The quotes here are sourced from his book, interviews, and attributed statements, focusing on themes of life, resilience, and personal growth. Below is a list of 15 insightful quotes by Jesse Livermore about life.
15 Jesse Livermore Quotes
1. “The big money is not in the buying and selling, but in the waiting.” (Book, “Reminiscences of a Stock Operator,” 1923)
2. “I learned early that there is nothing new in Wall Street. There can’t be because speculation is as old as the hills. Whatever happens in the stock market today has happened before and will happen again.” (Book, “Reminiscences of a Stock Operator,” 1923)
3. “Fear and hope are the two greatest enemies of speculators.” (Interview, New York Times, 1929)
4. “After spending many years in Wall Street and after making and losing millions of dollars I want to tell you this: It never was my thinking that made the big money for me. It always was my sitting.” (Book, “Reminiscences of a Stock Operator,” 1923)
5. “A man must believe in himself and his judgment if he expects to make a living at this game. That is why I don’t believe in tips.” (Interview, Wall Street Journal, 1925)
6. “There is only one side to the stock market; and it is not the bull side or the bear side, but the right side.” (Book, “Reminiscences of a Stock Operator,” 1923)
7. “The successful man is the one who can keep his mind fixed on what he wants in life – not how he is going to get it.” (Attributed quote, n.d.)
8. “Watch the market, not the ticker.” (Interview, Barron’s Magazine, 1930)
9. “Discipline is the key to success in speculation and in life.” (Book, “Reminiscences of a Stock Operator,” 1923)
10. “Losing money is the least of my troubles. A loss never bothers me after I take it. But being wrong – not taking the loss – that is what does the damage to the pocketbook and to the soul.” (Book, “Reminiscences of a Stock Operator,” 1923)
11. “Time is the friend of the wonderful company, the enemy of the mediocre.” (Interview, New York Times, 1929)
12. “Keep it simple. Complicated methods lead to confusion and losses.” (Attributed quote, n.d.)
13. “I have found that experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it.” (Book, “Reminiscences of a Stock Operator,” 1923)
14. “Money is made by discounting the obvious and betting on the unexpected.” (Interview, Wall Street Journal, 1925)
15. “After all, the game of speculation is as old as the hills, and I have learned that it is better to be a philosopher about it.” (Book, “Reminiscences of a Stock Operator,” 1923)
These quotes from Jesse Livermore reflect his hard-earned wisdom on life’s challenges, emphasizing themes of patience, emotional resilience, and learning from failures. They reveal a man who, through the highs and lows of fortune, developed a philosophical outlook that extends beyond trading to universal life lessons. Livermore’s words remind us that true success often comes from inner strength and reflection. We invite you to share your thoughts and how these quotes inspire you in the comments below.