“Over this 99.9% of human existence, when technology advances, population advances and counterbalances any potential increase in human prosperity. Suddenly once technological progress reaches a tipping point, families start to invest in education, they economise on the number of children, and technological progress is converted into richer people rather than into more people.”— Oded Galor
The quote archive
A growing archive of 3,000+ moments, drawn from every interview.
It was visionaries with a quest for achievement who made Apollo happen, and it seems to me that now? Our sense and spirit of adventure boils down to what we can afford, and not what we can learn or achieve by doing something.
— Buzz AldrinLunar Module Pilot on Apollo 11; Second Person to Walk on Moon
We mustn't focus exclusively on this threat, and it tends to be the case that the global elite does. I was at Davos in January 2020 and climate change was the agenda – and the pandemic had already begun! It was quite difficult to persuade people that there might be a nearer-term threat facing us than climate change.
— Niall FergusonBritish historian and author specializing in financial and military history
I wasn't just fighting for myself. I was fighting for an entire country and millions of fans around the world who believe in me. That is why I will always give 100% in and out of the ring.
— Manny PacquiaoWorld Champion Boxer & Philippine Senator
Looking back, it was one of the best things that could've happened to me. It was a rude awakening and it felt like my world was crashing in on me. It was a rough few days after the fight but instead of choosing to feel sorry for myself, I used the defeat as fuel for more determination.
— Manny PacquiaoWorld Champion Boxer & Philippine Senator
100% of anything I have ever felt uncomfortable about, embarrassed about or tried to hide…. When I embraced those things and flipped the script…. I felt freer, happier and more capable.
— AJ MendezProfessional wrestler and WWE performer, known as AJ Lee
We don't change the world through opinions, we change it with examples. So I've been putting myself out there, reaching out and connecting.
— AJ MendezProfessional wrestler and WWE performer, known as AJ Lee
Early on, being told no helped me figure out what I wanted my yes's to be. I learned who I wanted to be from people telling me who I could not be.
— AJ MendezProfessional wrestler and WWE performer, known as AJ Lee
You have to show 100% genuine emotion and personality through everything you do and allow that to connect to people. You cannot keep things inside because you think people won't accept you, or will think you're strange; just let your freak flag fly.
— AJ MendezProfessional wrestler and WWE performer, known as AJ Lee
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
You have to be clear about the purpose of what you're making. If you're making a film that's going to cost a lot of money- inevitably it will be a commercial endeavor by a studio or financier- and you have a responsibility to make that investment worthwhile; certainly, if you don't, you won't be working in the industry for very long.
— Paul GreengrassDirector of Bourne action films and political thrillers
Had I not defended it and stood by it, I think it could have disappeared into history- but because I protected it, stood up for it, believed in it and understood why it existed and what it had done? That's why it still remains.
— Tracey EminBritish artist known for provocative conceptual and autobiographical works
Endurance stays with you across everything, if you do it one place, you can do it anywhere. You're able to sustain because you've already trained your brain to do that.
— David BlaineIllusionist & Street Magician Known for Endurance Stunts & Television Specials
You have to keep reaching, keep thinking about what the next-level is.
— Will.i.amGrammy-Winning Producer, Rapper & Innovator from Black Eyed Peas
You have to take bullsh** and turn it into fertiliser.
— Will.i.amGrammy-Winning Producer, Rapper & Innovator from Black Eyed Peas
Entrepreneurship is the relentless drive to carry-on, no matter what. Entrepreneurship is tolerance, focus and dedication. Entrepreneurship is this 'true north' belief that whatever this 'thing' is that you want to bring to culture, that you will see it through… and that you are the one here to usher it into existence.
— Will.i.amGrammy-Winning Producer, Rapper & Innovator from Black Eyed Peas
Before you succeed, you must first learn to fail. If you keep repeating the same thing, you're always going to fail, you need to adjust. We have to look at failures and use them as an educational tool.
— Shaquille O’NealHall of Fame NBA Center & 4-Time NBA Champion