How a tulip was worth more than a house

A story, quote and lesson about investing in the right things

Are most investments fueled by speculation?

It was the early 17th century, and the Netherlands was at the height of its Golden Age. Trade, art, and science were flourishing, and amidst this prosperity, a curious craze began to take root: tulips. Introduced from the Ottoman Empire, these exotic flowers captivated Dutch society with their vibrant colors and unique patterns. But what started as admiration soon spiraled into obsession.

By the 1630s, tulips had become more than just flowers—they were symbols of wealth and status. Rare varieties like the Semper Augustus fetched astronomical prices, sometimes costing more than a skilled artisan's yearly salary. The most notorious example of this surge in prices is when a single Viceroy tulip was allegedly sold for upwards of five times the cost of an average house at the time.

People from all walks of life, from farmers to nobles, jumped into the tulip trade, hoping to strike it rich. Speculation ran rampant, and tulip bulbs were bought and sold multiple times a day, often without the buyer even seeing the actual flower.

Basket of goods allegedly exchanged for a single bulb of the Viceroy. Photo: AI-generated using item descriptions.

For a while, it seemed to work. Prices soared, and fortunes were made overnight. Contracts were traded up to five times with each buyer adding their own spread on the merchandise. However, none of these contracts were met because, in February 1637, the bubble burst. In less than a week, the market collapsed, leaving countless people bankrupt. What had seemed like a surefire investment turned out to be an illusion fueled by speculation and a fear of missing out on investment opportunities.

“Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful.”

Warren Buffett, renowned American businessman and investor serving as Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO.

Tulip mania (as the event is commonly referred to) wasn’t just about flowers; it was about human behavior—the allure of quick wealth. People weren’t investing in tulips for their inherent value but for the speculative promise that someone else would pay more tomorrow. When reality hit, it became painfully clear that the tulip’s value could never justify its price.

The lesson? Real progress and enduring success don’t come from chasing the latest fads or speculative trends. They come from focusing on opportunities that genuinely create value, even if they don’t offer immediate rewards.

Tulip mania may be centuries old, but its lessons remain strikingly relevant. By identifying what truly adds value—whether in investments, careers, or personal growth—and committing to those pursuits, we create a foundation for sustainable success.

Speculation might offer short-term excitement, but enduring fulfillment comes from building something meaningful and lasting.

So now I ask you:

How can you shift your focus from fleeting trends to the opportunities that truly matter?

(Share this on Twitter)

---