Speaking of Buffett's famous saying, "Be fearful when others are greedy, be greedy when others are fearful," many people treat it as gospel to memorize, but when it comes to actual trading, almost no one can truly do it.

I've seen too many traders fall into the same vicious cycle: today, they take profits quickly when there's a little gain, only to watch the market skyrocket and regret on the screen; tomorrow, they decide not to take profits, letting the profits run, but the market reverses, profits are given back, and they end up in the red, blaming their greed. Everyone has experienced this feeling, but the problem isn't greed or fear itself; it's that there are no clear standards.

I often see traders in stocks, futures, and forex markets struggling with the same question: when the price rises from a low point to a profitable level and the market starts to correct, should they exit or hold? The result is often that they become armchair quarterbacks in hindsight. If they exit and the price continues to rise, they kick themselves for being too fearful; if they don't exit and the market drops, they regret not taking profits earlier, wondering why they didn't lock in gains.

Honestly, many retail investors and beginners are just reflecting in hindsight; even if they had a second chance, it would be hard to judge precisely. Why? Because traders in the market are often tense, and when others are greedy, your rational mind has already flown out the window.

I've found that unsuccessful traders usually exhibit four typical behaviors. First, they take profits at the first sign of gains and exit quickly; this is driven by fear. Second, they refuse to admit losses and instead increase their positions against the trend, betting on a reversal, which often results in wiping out their capital. Third, they chase after rising prices and sell during dips, with no plan—just following the crowd. Fourth, they go all-in immediately, regardless of the situation. The last two are signs of greed; sometimes luck is on their side, and they win a few times, but ultimately, they usually suffer big losses.

What distinguishes professional traders from these types? They have a systematic trading approach, with clear rules and strict discipline. Cutting losses quickly and letting profits run—this isn't just a slogan but embedded into their trading logic. Entry, exit, and money management each have standards; they don't rely on feelings but on discipline. Only then can they truly overcome greed and fear.

Human society has evolved over thousands of years—from agriculture to industry to information technology—but human nature hasn't changed. However, individuals can evolve. Successful traders are those who, through practice and reflection, have conquered their own fears and greed. Most people can't do this because it's too difficult.

Since human nature hasn't evolved in thousands of years, rather than fighting your weaknesses head-on, it's better to use tools and systems to manage them. Some analytical tools can help you understand the common mindset of market investors, thereby reducing your risk of making poor judgments.

Finally, I want to say: respect the market, think rationally, and continuously refine your trading understanding within a familiar and controllable scope. The key to whether others are greedy or fearful is whether you have a reliable system backing your decision-making.