28 Best Ray Dalio Quotes on Life, Investing and Success . 2024

Ray Dalio is an American Billionaire investor, creator of “All Weather Portfolio” and the founder of Bridgewater Associates. In his years of investing, public interviews, and various books that he had written, he have shared his wisdom.

His best seller books like “Principles” and “The Changing World Order” are some of the best books to get into the minds of Ray Dalio.

And, if you just want the best quotes from him, here we’ve handpicked some of the best quotes from Ray Dalio, so that we can gain a deeper understanding of how his wisdom can positively impact our lives, help us on our investment journey, and enhance our personal development.

Best Ray Dalio Quotes

1. “If you’re not failing, you’re not pushing your limits, and if you’re not pushing your limits, you’re not maximizing your potential.”

Pushing your limits and embracing failure is essential for personal growth and development.

Ray Dalio reminds you to take risks and learning from your own failures. By doing so, you can:

Expand your capabilities, learn more and grow more.
Unlock your true potential, and uncover what you are actually capable for.

He encourages you to step out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, strive for excellence in all areas of life and DREAM Big.

Wanting to dream big? Check out the book “Start Small, Dream Big” and get inspired.

2. “I learned that if you work hard and creatively, you can have just about anything you want, but not everything you want. Maturity is the ability to reject good alternatives in order to pursue even better ones.”

Ray Dalio tells us that it is important of focus and prioritization.

While hard work and creativity are crucial for achieving success, it’s equally important to recognize that you can’t have everything simultaneously.

True maturity lies in making deliberate choices and rejecting good opportunities in pursuit of even better ones that align with your long-term goals and aspirations.

3. “Look for people who have lots of great questions. Smart people are the ones who ask the most thoughtful questions.”

Surround yourself with curious individuals who ask thoughtful questions can significantly contribute to your personal and professional growth.

Dalio tells you to engage with people who:

Challenge the status quo and think out of the box.
Seek deeper understanding on why exactly they are doing what they do.

These encourages intellectual curiosity and expands your knowledge.

By doing so, you can fosters a culture of learning, exploration, and innovation, ultimately leading to greater success and breakthroughs.

Ray Dalio Quotes & Principles for Dealing with Life

4. “The main reason I write the daily observations is because I want to know where I’m wrong. So lots of times if somebody points something out, it helps me, and I want to have a diversified bet of uncorrelated bets.”

Writing daily observations and seeking feedback is essential for personal growth and development.

Dalio advocates embracing diverse perspectives and acknowledging our fallibility, only by doing so, we can uncover our blind spots and improve our decision-making.

Through this process, we can cultivate a well-rounded perspective and make more informed choices.

6. “Great questions are a much better indicator of future success than great answers.”

Asking insightful and thought-provoking questions is crucial for personal and professional growth.

Ray Dalio tells us to always focus on asking the right questions. By asking the right questions,

We can gain deeper insights.
We challenge assumptions.
We uncover new possibilities.

He challenges us to expand our knowledge and discover innovative solutions through mindful questions and nurturing a curious mind.

7. “Above all else, I want you to think for yourself, to decide what you want, what is true, and what to do about it.”

Ray Dalio encourage independent thinking and self-reflection. These empowers individuals to take ownership of their lives and decisions.

It is a process that promotes personal agency and the pursuit of authenticity.

By critically examining our desires, seeking truth, and taking deliberate action, we can shape our lives according to our values and aspirations.

8. “The most important thing is that you develop your own principles and ideally write them down, especially if you are working with others.”

It’s a small action, but establishing personal principles and documenting them provides a foundation for effective collaboration and decision-making.

Ray Dalio tells us to clarify our guiding beliefs so we can align our actions and intentions with our values.

Sharing these principles with others fosters understanding, enhances teamwork, and promotes a cohesive environment.

9. “Remember that weaknesses don’t matter if you find solutions.”

Instead of fixating on weaknesses, we should focus on finding solutions and leveraging our strengths.

Ray Dalio ask us to always adopt a problem-solving mindset, with that, we can overcome challenges and capitalize on opportunities.

Embracing a growth mindset allows us to learn from failures, adapt, and continuously improve ourselves.

Ray Dalio Quotes to Inspire Success

10. “Success comes from knowing what you don’t know, more than coming from what you do know.”

Understanding the limitations of your knowledge and embracing a mindset of continuous learning are crucial for achieving success.

Ray Dalio tells us to start recognizing that there is always more to learn. Always stay open-minded and adaptable.

By acknowledging what you don’t know, you create opportunities for growth and improvement.

Success stems from a humble willingness to expand your knowledge and skills.

11. “Don’t worry about looking good – worry about achieving your goals.”

Ray Dalio reminds us that focusing on appearances or seeking validation from others can hinder your progress.

Instead, prioritize your goals and aspirations.

True success lies in accomplishing what you set out to achieve, regardless of others’ opinions.

By shifting your focus from external validation to personal fulfillment, you can stay committed to your path and overcome obstacles along the way.

12. “The happiest people discover their own nature and match their life to it.”

Finding genuine happiness and fulfillment requires self-discovery and alignment with your true nature.

Ray Dalio askes you to take the time to understand your values, passions, and strengths.

By embracing who you truly are, you can shape your life in a way that honors your authentic self.

This self-awareness enables you to make choices that align with your purpose, leading to greater joy and satisfaction.

And if you are wondering how to do this, check out “Start Small, Dream Big“.

This information packed book will tell you exactly how to find your own P.V.P. and pursue a goal that will makes you truly happy.

13. “Success is betting against the consensus and being right.”

Probably the best Ray Dalio quotes, achieving extraordinary success often involves challenging conventional wisdom and going against the crowd.

By cultivating an independent mindset and having the courage to take calculated risks, you position yourself for unique opportunities.

Success often awaits those who are willing to think differently, question prevailing beliefs, and make well-informed decisions that prove the consensus wrong.

14. “Most of life’s greatest opportunities come out of moments of struggle; it’s up to you to make the most of these tests of creativity and character.”

Difficulties and challenges are not roadblocks but stepping stones to growth and success.

Ray Dalio advocate us to embrace these moments of struggle, as these allows you to tap into your creativity and resilience. By viewing challenges as opportunities for personal and professional development, you can navigate them with determination and adaptability.

Almost always, it is through these tests that you discover your true capabilities and unlock new possibilities.

Ray Dalio Quotes on Investing:

15. “It all comes down to interest rates. As an investor, all you’re doing is putting up a lump-sum payment for a future cash flow.”

Understanding the impact of interest rates is crucial for investors, and this is especially when compounding is involved.

Interest rates determine the present value of future cash flows, affecting the value of investments.

By recognizing this relationship, you can make informed decisions on when to invest or divest, considering the potential changes in interest rates.

16. “A beautiful deleveraging balances the three options. In other words, there is a certain amount of austerity, there is a certain amount of debt restructuring, and there is a certain amount of printing of money. When done in the right mix, it isn’t dramatic.”

Deleveraging refers to reducing debt levels in an economy or financial system.

In his interview, Ray Dalio emphasizes the importance of finding a balanced approach when deleveraging, combining austerity measures, debt restructuring, and controlled monetary policy.

By achieving a well-calibrated balance, deleveraging can be managed smoothly, minimizing potential disruptions in the economy.

17. “There are two main drivers of asset class returns – inflation and growth.”

When trying to understand asset class returns, it is crucial to consider the two primary drivers: inflation and growth.

Inflation impacts the purchasing power of investments.
Growth represents the increase in value over time.

Investors need to analyze these factors to assess the potential returns and make informed investment decisions.

18. “I think that the first thing is you should have a strategic asset allocation mix that assumes that you don’t know what the future is going to hold.”

Ray Dalio emphasizes the importance of strategic asset allocation, emphasizing the uncertainty of the future.

By diversifying investments across different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and commodities, investors can mitigate risks and capture potential opportunities, regardless of the unknown future circumstances.

19. “If you are not aggressive, you are not going to make money, and if you are not defensive, you are not going to keep money.”

Successful investing requires a balance between aggression and defensiveness.

Being aggressive allows investors to take calculated risks and pursue higher returns.
Being defensive helps protect their gains and mitigate potential losses.

Striking the right balance between these two approaches is essential for long-term financial success.

Ray Dalio Quotes on Gold

20. “If you don’t own gold, you know neither history nor economics.”

Gold has played a significant role throughout history and is intertwined with economic principles.

By acknowledging the value of gold, both in terms of its historical significance and its role in economic systems, you can develop a deeper understanding of wealth preservation and financial stability.

Ray Dalio Quotes on Failure

21. “If you’re not failing, you’re not pushing your limits, and if you’re not pushing your limits, you’re not maximizing your potential.”

Failure is not something to be feared but embraced.

Shocking to many, this is actually one of the best advice by Ray Dalio.

When you face failure, it signifies that you are stepping outside of your comfort zone and pushing your limits.

By taking risks and embracing failure, you open yourself up to new opportunities and growth.
Only by pushing your limits can you unlock your true potential and achieve extraordinary results in various aspects of your life.

22. “Mistakes are the path to progress.”

Mistakes should not be seen as setbacks but as stepping stones on the path to progress.

Every mistake provides valuable lessons and insights that help you refine your approach and make improvements.

Embracing mistakes allows you to

Learn from your mistakes.

Grow from every fall.
Evolve into a better version of yourself.

These all leads to personal and professional development.

By viewing mistakes as opportunities for growth, you can navigate challenges with resilience and determination.

23. “Don’t mistake possibilities for probabilities. Anything is possible. It’s the probabilities that matter. Everything must be weighed in terms of its likelihood and prioritized.”

While it is essential to dream big and believe in possibilities, it is equally important to assess probabilities and prioritize accordingly.

Before you start doing anything, start by evaluating the probabilities, by doing so:

You focus your efforts on the most promising opportunities.
You increase your chances of success.
You optimize your results in life, finance, and career.

Understanding the likelihood of certain outcomes helps you make informed decisions and allocate your resources effectively.

Ray Dalio Quotes on Life

24. “Having the basics, a good bed to sleep in, good relationships, good food – is most important, and those things don’t get much better when you have a lot of money or much worse when you have less.”

Focus on the essential aspects of life that truly matter, such as having a comfortable place to rest, nurturing meaningful relationships, and enjoying nourishing food.

Material wealth does not significantly enhance these fundamental elements.

By prioritizing these basics, you can cultivate a fulfilling and contented life, regardless of your financial status.

25. “And the people one meets at the top aren’t necessarily more special than those one meets at the bottom.”

Do not judge individuals solely based on their social status or position in life.

The people you encounter at higher levels of society are not inherently superior to those you meet in different circumstances.

Embrace diversity of the people you met.
Value the richness of interactions with people from all walks of life.

Everyone has unique experiences, perspectives, and contributions to offer, regardless of their societal standing.

26. “Every time you confront something painful, you have the opportunity to choose healthy and painful truth or unhealthy but comfortable delusion.”

When faced with difficult or challenging situations, you have a choice to make.

Embrace the discomfort and seek the truth, even if it may be painful.
Or keep yourself in the dark and keep lying to yourself and avoid the pain.

Confronting the reality of a situation allows for personal growth and development.

However, if you opt for the easy path of denial and delusion, while it may provide temporary comfort, but it will surely hinder your personal and spiritual progress in the long run.

27. “Time is like a river that carries us forward into encounters with reality that require us to make decisions. We can only approach them in the best possible way.”

Time is a constant force that propels us forward, presenting us with various situations and choices.

Embrace these encounters with reality, and approach them with a mindset of thoughtful consideration, wisdom, and discernment.

Ray Dalio ask us to recognize that every moment is an opportunity to make decisions that align with our values and aspirations.

With every decision, we navigate life’s currents more effectively and move towards our desired outcomes.

28. “Nature gave us pain as a messaging device to tell us that we are approaching, or that we have exceeded, our limits in some way.”

Pain serves as a powerful signal from nature, indicating that we are either pushing our boundaries or have reached our limits.

Rather than perceiving pain solely as a negative experience, view it as a message that guides us towards growth and transformation.

Pain highlights areas where we can challenge ourselves.

Pain helps us to develop resilience.
Pain helps us to expand our capabilities.

Always embrace discomfort as an opportunity for personal evolution and self-improvement. By doing so, you will become a better you every single day.

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Antony C.

Founder & Financial Writer at Income Buddies | Website | Posts by Author

Antony C. is a dividend investor with over 15+ years of investing experience. He’s also the book author of “Start Small, Dream Big“, certified PMP® holder and founder of IncomeBuddies.com (IB). At IB, he share his personal journey and expertise on growing passive income through dividend investing and building online business. Antony has been featured in global news outlet including Yahoo Finance, Nasdaq and Non Fiction Author Association (NFAA).

28 Best Ray Dalio Quotes on Life, Investing and Success