Warren Buffett's Last Berkshire Letter and "few Final Thoughts"
Postedabout 2 months agoActiveabout 2 months ago
berkshirehathaway.comOtherstory
calmpositive
Debate
20/100
Warren BuffettBerkshire HathawayInvestment Philosophy
Key topics
Warren Buffett
Berkshire Hathaway
Investment Philosophy
The post discusses Warren Buffett's final Berkshire letter, where he shares his reflections on life and investing, prompting users to reflect on their own values and actions.
Snapshot generated from the HN discussion
Discussion Activity
Light discussionFirst comment
N/A
Peak period
3
0-1h
Avg / period
2
Key moments
- 01Story posted
Nov 10, 2025 at 5:59 PM EST
about 2 months ago
Step 01 - 02First comment
Nov 10, 2025 at 5:59 PM EST
0s after posting
Step 02 - 03Peak activity
3 comments in 0-1h
Hottest window of the conversation
Step 03 - 04Latest activity
Nov 11, 2025 at 12:31 AM EST
about 2 months ago
Step 04
Generating AI Summary...
Analyzing up to 500 comments to identify key contributors and discussion patterns
ID: 45882104Type: storyLast synced: 11/20/2025, 1:54:04 PM
Want the full context?
Jump to the original sources
Read the primary article or dive into the live Hacker News thread when you're ready.
"Greatness does not come about through accumulating great amounts of money, great amounts of publicity or great power in government. When you help someone in any of thousands of ways, you help the world. Kindness is costless but also priceless. Whether you are religious or not, it’s hard to beat The Golden Rule as a guide to behavior.
I write this as one who has been thoughtless countless times and made many mistakes but also became very lucky in learning from some wonderful friends how to behave better (still a long way from perfect, however). Keep in mind that the cleaning lady is as much a human being as the Chairman."
Buffet had 'kind' words for those on the other side of the aisle as well, "Early on, I contemplated various grand philanthropic plans. Though I was stubborn, these did not prove feasible. During my many years, I’ve also watched ill-conceived wealth transfers by political hacks, dynastic choices and, yes, inept or quirky philanthropists."
Vis a vis, one could reference the peculiarity of a man of nearly unmatchable means whose choice of action is inaction. In the end everybody is human, and we're all left throwing stones in a glass house.
One perhaps self-serving observation. I’m happy to say I feel better about the second half of my life than the first. My advice: Don’t beat yourself up over past mistakes – learn at least a little from them and move on. It is never too late to improve. Get the right heroes and copy them. You can start with Tom Murphy; he was the best.
Remember Alfred Nobel, later of Nobel Prize fame, who – reportedly – read his own obituary that was mistakenly printed when his brother died and a newspaper got mixed up. He was horrified at what he read and realized he should change his behavior.
Don’t count on a newsroom mix-up: Decide what you would like your obituary to say and live the life to deserve it.
Greatness does not come about through accumulating great amounts of money, great amounts of publicity or great power in government. When you help someone in any of thousands of ways, you help the world. Kindness is costless but also priceless. Whether you are religious or not, it’s hard to beat The Golden Rule as a guide to behavior.
I write this as one who has been thoughtless countless times and made many mistakes but also became very lucky in learning from some wonderful friends how to behave better (still a long way from perfect, however). Keep in mind that the cleaning lady is as much a human being as the Chairman."