“I did not intend to get rich. I just wanted to get independent.”

It can’t be overstated: there is no greater force in finance than room for error, and the higher the stakes, the wider it should be.

It sounds trivial, but thinking of market volatility as a fee rather than a fine is an important part of developing the kind of mindset that lets you stick around long enough for investing gains to work in your favor.

‘I have no sunk costs.’”

He seemed as disappointed in where he is today as he was driven toward where he wanted to be 15 years ago.

You have to plan on your plan not going according to plan.

That’s the correct lesson to learn from surprises: that the world is surprising.

When most people say they want to be a millionaire, what they might actually mean is “I’d like to spend a million dollars.” And that is literally the opposite of being a millionaire.

Rockefeller’s job wasn’t to drill wells, load trains, or move barrels. It was to think and make good decisions.