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Monday, November 3, 2025

Reddit’s Top Stocks Beat the S&P by 40%

Buffett-era investing was all about company performance. The new era is about investor behavior.

Sure, you can still make good returns investing in solid businesses over 10-20 years.

But in the meantime, you might miss out on 224.29% gainers like Robinhood (the #6 most-mentioned stock on Reddit over the past 6 months).

Reddit's top 15 stocks gained 60% in six months. The S&P 500? 18.7%.

AltIndex's AI processes 100,000s of Reddit comments and factors them into its stock ratings.

We've teamed up with AltIndex to get our readers free access to their app for a limited time.

The market constantly signals which stocks might pop off next. Will you look in the right places this time?

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_{Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investing involves risk including possible loss of principal.}

Warren Buffett, often called the “Oracle of Omaha,” has long been revered for his remarkable success, humility, and wisdom. This quote reveals one of his most valuable lessons—not about money, but about character. When evaluating others, Buffett says, look for three things: intelligence, energy, and integrity. The order isn’t what matters—what matters is that integrity must be present, or the other two become liabilities.

The Power of Integrity

Intelligence and energy are incredible strengths when guided by integrity. A smart and energetic person can innovate, inspire, and accomplish great things. But if those traits are not anchored in honesty and ethics, they can easily lead to manipulation, deception, or harm. Integrity ensures that ability and drive are used for good, not personal gain at others’ expense.

Buffett’s insight underscores a timeless truth: without integrity, success is hollow and unstable. The most talented person in the room is useless if their word cannot be trusted. A partnership, friendship, or business relationship built on anything less than integrity is destined to fail—because trust, once broken, rarely rebuilds the same way.

A Reflection on Ourselves

This quote is not just about who we hire or trust—it’s also a mirror. Are we living with integrity ourselves? Do our actions match our words? Are we consistent, even when no one is watching?
Integrity means doing the right thing not because it’s profitable, but because it’s right. It’s staying true to your values when temptation whispers shortcuts or excuses. In Buffett’s world, a handshake was as binding as a contract—and that ethos remains a blueprint for sustainable success.

Why Integrity Outlasts Talent

Talent may open doors, but integrity keeps them open. Over time, reputations are built not by brilliance, but by reliability. In the marketplace and in life, people gravitate toward those they can trust. Buffett’s message is clear: never trade your character for short-term advantage. The cost is too high, and the loss is permanent.

Key Takeaway:

True success is built on three pillars—intelligence, energy, and integrity—but integrity is the foundation that holds the others up. Without it, even the smartest and most driven individuals can collapse under the weight of their own contradictions.

Context & Origin

Warren Buffett has shared this philosophy in several interviews and shareholder meetings, emphasizing that integrity is non-negotiable when selecting leaders, partners, or friends. His belief was shaped by his early influences—mentor Benjamin Graham, and lifelong business partner Charlie Munger, both of whom valued ethics over expedience. Buffett’s career at Berkshire Hathaway stands as living proof that doing business the right way is not just moral—it’s profitable in the long run.

Resource List: Building Integrity and Leadership Wisdom

Books & Readings

1. The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder — an in-depth biography exploring Buffett’s values and approach to ethical decision-making.

2. The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America by Lawrence Cunningham — a collection of Buffett’s shareholder letters revealing his principles on integrity and leadership.

3. Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charles T. Munger — Munger’s wit and wisdom on decision-making, ethics, and life philosophy.

4. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham — Buffett’s foundational influence, emphasizing rational, value-driven investment with moral grounding.

Talks & Interviews

1. Warren Buffett’s annual Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Meeting Q&As (available on YouTube) — candid insights on integrity, partnership, and trust in business.

2. Charlie Munger’s USC Law School Commencement Address (2007) — a powerful reflection on ethics and how character shapes destiny.

3. “How Integrity Makes or Breaks You” – Warren Buffett interview clip (CNBC) — Buffett explains why he won’t work with people lacking honesty, no matter their talent.

Practical Exercises

1. Integrity Check: Reflect on three recent decisions—did they align with your values, even under pressure?

2. Reputation Audit: Ask yourself, “Would I trust me if I were someone else?”

3. Integrity Compass: Write down your top three personal values and evaluate your daily actions against them.

Final Reflection

Warren Buffett reminds us that in a world obsessed with speed and results, character remains the ultimate currency. Intelligence may help you climb the ladder, and energy may help you move fast—but only integrity ensures you’re leaning that ladder against the right wall.