Warren Buffett delivered an inspirational big-money "offer" and a half-million dollar piece of advice for the hundreds of Columbia Business School students given the opportunity to attend today's CNBC Town Hall Event with Bill Gates.

For me, it was one of the highlights of today's 90-minute session.

Here's the clip:

"Right now, I would pay a hundred-thousand dollars for 10 percent of the future earnings of any of you.  So, if anyone wants to see me after this is over ... (laughter and applause).  If that's true, you're a million dollar asset right now, right?  If ten percent of you is worth a hundred-thousand?   You could improve on that, many of you, and I certainly could have when I got out, just in terms of learning communication skills.  

It's not something that's taught, I actually went to a Dale Carnegie course later on in terms of public speaking.  But if you improve your value 50 percent by having better communication skills, it's another 500-thousand dollars in terms of capital value.  See me after the class and I'll pay you 150-thousand.  (Laughter and applause)"

Warren Buffett and Bill Gates: Keeping America Great, a 90-minute CNBC Town Hall Event hosted by Becky Quick, airs tonight (Thursday) on CNBC television at 9p and 12:30a ET.

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