“Research has shown that when you compare the effect of a 1% change in unemployment rate and 1% change in the inflation rate; a 1% increase in unemployment has a bigger impact on people's happiness than a 1% increase in inflation.”— Richard A. Easterlin
The quote archive
A growing archive of 3,000+ moments, drawn from every interview.
My fun statement is that if I see the same thing, three times in one week, from disparate news or information sources, I have to move quickly as it's a trend that's likely to happen.
— Chip WilsonFounder of Lululemon Athletica, Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist
Read a lot. Never accept current standards. Always improve yourself. And remember, you always meet twice in life.
— Nico RosbergFormer Formula 1 World Champion, won 2016 title with Mercedes
For me it is extremely important that commercial interests and social benefits are not mutually exclusive, but that they can complement each other wonderfully so I always look out for products that are innovative, forward-thinking and offer a true value for society.
— Nico RosbergFormer Formula 1 World Champion, won 2016 title with Mercedes
When we were first able to make approximately what our fathers made by doing performance, we considered ourselves completely successful and had no ambition beyond that. If we were playing fairs and cruise ships, we were happy.
— Penn JilletteMagician, Illusionist & Half of Penn & Teller Duo
I got into boxing promotion by accident. I went to the meeting, turned around and said, 'I don't need you, we'll promote it...' I don't know why I even said that! The next minute, I was in the promotion business and helping to get this thing together; I got bitten by the bug, and it went from there.
— Frank WarrenFounder of PostSecret, anonymous confessions project & book series
Your competitors are looking for the product, idea or feature that gives such a competitive advantage that they can take all your customers away from you. You need to work like someone's trying to take it all away from you, because they are.
— Mark CubanBillionaire Investor, Shark Tank Investor & Dallas Mavericks Owner
Taking that first step is your biggest competitive advantage; most people won't do it.
— Mark CubanBillionaire Investor, Shark Tank Investor & Dallas Mavericks Owner
Fear depends on your context, and how much you think you have to lose. You may be young or broke and have nothing to lose. In that case? Either you figure out a way to get something, or you don't get it. Simple.
— Mark CubanBillionaire Investor, Shark Tank Investor & Dallas Mavericks Owner
Purpose doesn't come to people sitting at the starting blocks and thinking about purpose. You have to live it.
— Jacqueline NovogratzFounder of Acumen Fund & social entrepreneur focused on global poverty alleviation
I do this thing- I say something out-loud–announce it to the public–and then I'm forced to do it because people are excited and I don't want to let them down.
— Sophia AmorusoFounder of Nasty Gal & Author of "#GIRLBOSS
The only way I can get truly invested in something is by doing it and understanding the full-stack of why and how it works, rather than playing a role in it- it's why I was so bad at working for other people… I learn through immersion.
— Sophia AmorusoFounder of Nasty Gal & Author of "#GIRLBOSS
The traditional sources of capital for ideas — investment, charity, rich relatives, grants — are nowhere near sufficient to the number of good ideas in the world.
— Perry ChenFounder of Kickstarter, crowdfunding platform pioneer
Especially at the beginning, it takes just the right amount of delusion to dedicate yourself to something ambitious. The reality is you're more likely to fail than succeed and so you need strong belief to commit your heart and soul to an idea.
— Perry ChenFounder of Kickstarter, crowdfunding platform pioneer
I was 5 years old when I went to see it and when I came back, I remember thinking 'that's exactly what I'm going to do, I want to be a film-maker, I want to make people disappear, reappear, sing on screen and make beautiful love story.' That was the moment I decided, and I haven't looked back since.
— Tosca MuskProducer and Director, known for Tesla and SpaceX documentaries
When I started out, there weren't many women in jewellery, and I hope that by creating a more open-minded approach to creativity and design, that I have been able to make a change on what was a very male dominated world.
— Jade JaggerEven though we'd achieved so much success, going solo felt like a clean slate that I could pursue on my own. I'm travelling the world, making music from my heart, making the videos of my dreams and working with a team who believe in me. It's been liberating!
— Ally BrookeFormer Fifth Harmony Member & Solo Artist