Money isn’t the only scoreboard Warren Buffett pays attention to. In conversations and interviews, he’s revealed what he believes actually adds up to a successful life, and it’s not what people usually expect. His version is surprisingly stripped back. In this piece, you’ll find 10 clear, timeless principles he believes create a life worth living.
Choose Love Over Money
Buffett once put it simply: being loved by the people you care about is the real test of life. After building a financial empire, he still lives in the modest Omaha house he bought decades ago, showing that comfort and connection mattered more than upgrading for status.
Surround Yourself With Good People
Are the people you spend your time with lifting you up? Buffett swears by choosing companions who challenge you to grow. Much of his wisdom stems from his lifelong friendship with Charlie Munger. He credits that circle with shaping who he became, not just professionally but personally.
Measure Success By Inner Scorecard
Early in his career, Buffett chose principles over popularity to reject trends Wall Street couldn’t get enough of. He speaks often about the “inner scorecard”—the one only you can see. The quiet confidence carried him through decades of chaos and short-term noise.
Invest In Your Communication Skills
At one point, Buffett was terrified of speaking publicly. This changed after a Dale Carnegie course, which he still calls a turning point. He values communication so much that the diploma is hung in his office. To him, clear expression is a soft skill and a multiplier of everything else.
Prioritize Reputation Over Riches
A five-minute lapse can undo 20 years of trust; that’s Buffett’s warning. He’s built Berkshire Hathaway on strict ethical foundations, even firing profitable managers who crossed moral lines. Reputation, to him, isn’t a strategy. It’s a reflection of character, and once it’s cracked, there’s no easy way to fix it.
Live Below Your Means
Despite being one of the richest people alive, Buffett doesn’t chase luxury. This man starts his mornings with fast food and prefers routine to extravagance. His lifestyle sends a strong message: self-control is about clarity. Money should never dictate peace of mind, and debt only clouds it.
Be Passionate About What You Do
When Buffett says he tap dances to work, he means it. To this day, the thrill of deep thinking and discovery hasn’t worn off. His idea of success is finding something you love enough to stick with, long after most people have checked out. It’s the real prize.
Value Time Over Money
Buffett treats time like most treat their savings with intention. His days aren’t jammed with appointments. In fact, they’re noticeably quiet. That’s the point. He’s said, flat out, that money can’t buy time. So Buffett guards it, spends it slowly, and never forgets it’s the one thing he can’t earn back.
Maintain Emotional Control
There’s a reason Buffett consistently outperformed the loudest voices in investing. While others gambled on emotion, he made patience his edge. According to him, temperament outweighs IQ. And in his experience, ego and panic are luxury mistakes few can afford but many make.
Keep Learning Constantly
Buffett treats reading like some treat exercise, non-negotiable and daily. Every hour he spends with a book adds to a lifelong compounding effect. He and Munger made it routine: debate, reflect, repeat. That steady curiosity keeps their minds sharp and ideas fresh.
