The Tao of Warren Buffett

Reviewed by Diario de un Inversor · UpdatedJune 13, 2026

Our review

«The Tao of Warren Buffett» belongs to a different genre than most investing books: it is not a manual or a treatise but an annotated anthology of aphorisms. Mary Buffett and David Clark select the most representative quotes from the Oracle of Omaha — drawn from shareholder letters, interviews, and speeches — and add brief explanations that contextualize each within Buffett's investment philosophy. The book's value lies in the curation: Buffett quotes are not hard to find online, but selecting them with judgment, ordering them thematically, and explaining their practical application adds real value. The limitation is equally obvious: this is a book of surfaces, not depths. Anyone who wants to understand Buffett's method in its full architecture will need to read Berkshire Hathaway's actual shareholder letters, which are publicly available and free. As an entry point or as a periodic reference — rereading a different quote each week — the volume serves its purpose. For readers who already command Buffett's philosophy, it likely adds no new perspectives.

Key takeaways

• Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholder letters contain the primary source of Buffett's thinking and are publicly available for free.
• The price paid determines the return obtained: an excellent company bought expensively can be a poor investment.
• Concentration in the best ideas, rather than default diversification, is a constant in Buffett's philosophy.
• Patience as a competitive advantage: Buffett has repeatedly stated that his favorite holding period for a company is «forever».

Fact

Published in 2006. Mary Buffett was Warren Buffett's daughter-in-law for twelve years and co-authored several books on his investment philosophy with David Clark.