The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.
Punctuality is one of the cardinal business virtues: always insist on it in your subordinates.
When did it become a problem to be a small businessman and become successful? The small businessman - like my father, or like me?
Spend a lot of time talking to customers face to face. You'd be amazed how many companies don't listen to their customers.
One's mind has a way of making itself up in the background, and it suddenly becomes clear what one means to do.
What we actually learn, from any given set of circumstances, determines whether we become increasingly powerless or more powerful.
Like dogs in a wheel, birds in a cage, or squirrels in a chain, ambitious men still climb and climb, with great labor, and incessant anxiety, but never reach the top.
If the career you have chosen has some unexpected inconvenience, console yourself by reflecting that no career is without them.
The way to get things done is not to mind who gets the credit for doing them.
Government in the U.S. today is a senior partner in every business in the country.
You can't operate a company by fear, because the way to eliminate fear is to avoid criticism. And the way to avoid criticism is to do nothing.
Web users ultimately want to get at data quickly and easily. They don't care as much about attractive sites and pretty design.
Every few seconds it changes - up an eighth, down an eighth - it's like playing a slot machine. I lose $20 million, I gain $20 million.
To think that the new economy is over is like somebody in London in 1830 saying the entire industrial revolution is over because some textile manufacturers in Manchester went broke.
The herd instinct among forecasters makes sheep look like independent thinkers.
Look at growth, look at how much time people spend on the Net and look at the variety of things that they are doing. It's all really good, so I am actually encouraged by the fundamentals that underlie usage growth on the Net.
What we've gone through in the last several years has caused some people to question 'Can we trust Microsoft?'
Definition of a Statistician: A man who believes figures don't lie, but admits than under analysis some of them won't stand up either.
Not for nothing is their motto TGIF - 'Thank God It's Friday.' They live for the weekends, when they can go do what they really want to do.
The work of the individual still remains the spark that moves mankind ahead even more than teamwork.
What's the subject of life - to get rich? All of those fellows out there getting rich could be dancing around the real subject of life.
The incestuous relationship between government and big business thrives in the dark.
The great leaders are like the best conductors - they reach beyond the notes to reach the magic in the players.
I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.
If we listened to our intellect, we'd never have a love affair. We'd never have a friendship. We'd never go into business, because we'd be cynical. Well, that's nonsense. You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down.
Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough.
Government 'help' to business is just as disastrous as government persecution... the only way a government can be of service to national prosperity is by keeping its hands off.
If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business.
I believe that being successful means having a balance of success stories across the many areas of your life. You can't truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles.
It is easy enough to be friendly to one's friends. But to befriend the one who regards himself as your enemy is the quintessence of true religion. The other is mere business.
A friendship founded on business is better than a business founded on friendship.