The smarter the journalists are, the better off society is. For

Hear the words of Warren Buffett, a man whose wisdom has been forged in the crucible of observation and experience: “The smarter the journalists are, the better off society is. For to a degree, people read the press to inform themselves—and the better the teacher, the better the student body.” These words, though simple in form, are heavy with truth. They remind us that the relationship between those who inform and those who are informed is sacred, for it shapes the destiny of nations and the very spirit of a people.

When Buffett speaks of journalists, he calls them the teachers of the modern world. Just as the sages of old stood in the marketplaces to proclaim truth, so now do the writers, the reporters, the seekers of fact and story. They are not merely observers but guides, helping society understand itself. And as he warns, the strength of a people depends on the strength of those who teach them. A press filled with wisdom, courage, and fairness builds a wise and discerning people. But a press that is shallow, deceitful, or enslaved to power leads the people into ignorance and ruin.

Consider the history of Watergate in the United States. Two journalists, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, pursued a trail of corruption that many feared to follow. They questioned, they investigated, they refused to be silent. In time, their work brought truth to light, and a president fell. Here we see Buffett’s wisdom proven: when the journalists were sharp, diligent, and fearless, the society was saved from deeper corruption. The press became a teacher of integrity, and the student body—the people—learned the power of accountability.

But history also bears darker lessons. In Nazi Germany, the press did not teach truth but became the trumpet of propaganda. Journalists surrendered their sacred duty, choosing obedience over honesty. Lies were dressed as facts, hatred was spread as gospel, and the people, misled by their teachers, marched willingly into war and atrocity. Here, too, Buffett’s words ring clear: if the teacher is corrupted, the student body will stumble blindly into destruction. The fate of a society rests upon the integrity of those who bear the pen.

The wisdom of the quote lies in its recognition of mutual responsibility. The press must labor with diligence, intelligence, and integrity, but the people must also hunger for truth, not merely comfort or distraction. A wise teacher can only shape a willing student, and a discerning student body must demand wisdom from its guides. Thus, the bond is twofold: the journalist must strive for clarity, and the reader must seek understanding. Together they build the foundation of a healthy society.

The lesson for us is clear: honor and defend honest journalism. Do not scorn it nor dismiss it, but recognize it as one of the pillars of freedom. Demand from your press depth, not triviality; courage, not complacency; truth, not entertainment. And in yourself, cultivate discernment. Do not drink blindly from any source, but weigh what you read, question what you hear, and sharpen your own mind as a worthy student. For the fate of society is not only in the hands of the teacher, but in the spirit of those who learn.

Therefore, O listener, let your actions be these: support those journalists who speak truth to power, even when their words are uncomfortable. Defend the freedom of the press, for without it, society is blind. And in your own life, become a seeker of wisdom, not a passive consumer of noise. Remember Buffett’s teaching: the smarter the journalists, the better the society—but only if the student body listens, questions, and learns. In this sacred exchange between truth-giver and truth-seeker lies the strength or downfall of every nation.