Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race

Post date: May 10, 2010 12:39:44 PM

With all of the turmoil in the markets last week, it reminded me of the fable of the tortoise and the hare. The hare ridicules the slow pace of the tortoise, so the tortoise challenges the hare to a race. So assured that her speed will beat the tortoise, the hare takes a nap during the race. By the time she wakes up, the tortoise has crossed the finish line.

The speed at which the markets move is very much at issue in last week's trading systems meltdown. The investor with the long view is more likely to attain their goal by setting their sights on the future prize and moving toward it slowly and steadily.