Diversification is a surrogate - and a damn poor surrogate - for knowledge, elements of control, and priceconsciousness. Martin J. Whitman More Quotes by Martin J. Whitman More Quotes From Martin J. Whitman Based on my own personal experience – both as an investor in recent years and an expert witness in years past – rarely do more than three or four variables really count. Everything else is noise. Martin J. Whitman experts past years If I learn 1,000 techniques with my luck I'll go out on the street and be attacked by number 1,001. Martin J. Whitman technique luck numbers Rarely do more than three or four variables really count. Everything else is noise. Martin J. Whitman variables four noise We attracted a lot of market timers and asset allocators. I don't need those ... amateurs in my fund. Martin J. Whitman investing assets needs In the financial world it tends to be misleading to state, "There is no free lunch." Rather the more meaningful comment is, "Somebody has to pay for lunch." Martin J. Whitman investing lunch meaningful We ignore outlooks and forecasts... we're lousy at it and we admit it ... everyone else is lousy too, but most people won't admit it. Martin J. Whitman investment investing people