“There is no business without creativity. And I think we have a lot of examples of great organisations that didn't want to be creative. Kodak is a good example, they didn't want to see the digital world! Creativity for me is the first condition to establish yourself as a leader in whatever you do in life.”
— Daniel Lamarre
President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil

The quote archive

Society

A growing archive of 3,000+ moments, drawn from every interview.

The most important form of power is human capital, people.. and their education. In today's world it is easier for people to amass education and communicate their ideas than it has ever been before.

— Admiral James Stavridis

Former NATO Supreme Commander & Military Strategist

If you look at the countries in the world that are leading in their levels of reported happiness, it's countries such as the Nordics- Denmark virtually always comes out on top. The countries where people are happiest are ones which are much more domestically oriented and not seeking world-power.

— Richard A. Easterlin

Economist known for the Easterlin Paradox on income and happiness

Happiness is a measure that reflects the success with which people achieve their personal objectives of living levels, happy and healthy families and satisfying work.

— Richard A. Easterlin

Economist known for the Easterlin Paradox on income and happiness

Transport, natural disasters, the distribution of resources, globalisation – engineers and inventors have the traits and skillset to solve the problems the world faces today. And therefore have the potential to impact the world and economy.

— Sir James Dyson

Inventor & Founder of Dyson Ltd, Bagless Vacuum Pioneer

It is there to establish a framework in which the society works; and lay down, first of all, the parameters which form this framework- and secondly provide objective and fair ways of determining whether these have been contravened- and if so? what should be done.

— Lord Woolf of Barnes

Former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales; judicial reform advocate

The difference between rap, jazz, blues, rock & roll, pop, r&b and all that is that the hip-hop artists held on to it…. MTV didn't play any people of colour until hip-hop came along. They had Michael Jackson then they had Run D.M.C. Run D.M.C's 'Rock Box' and these records were honest and real reflections of what came from these people's communities- from a poetry and music standpoint.

— Russell Simmons

Founder of Def Jam Records & Hip-Hop Pioneer

When they went to work, it wasn't that they were selling out but rather the intention of human beings to chase things… material stuff… come out of the ghetto… achieve… they wanted their own reflection in pop culture… they didn't want any of this YMCA, Patrick Juvet's – I Love America or any of these disco records that were out…. they didn't want to listen to that on black radio, it was insulting…. so they made their own.

— Russell Simmons

Founder of Def Jam Records & Hip-Hop Pioneer

All the great achievements of humankind – from building the pyramids to reaching the Moon – are based on large scale cooperation. And all large scale human cooperation is based on belief in fictions such as gods, nations, money and human rights.

— Yuval Noah Harari

Bestselling author of "Sapiens" & historian studying human civilization

Humans began to create and believe things that exist only in their own imagination. Things such as gods, nations, money and human rights. This enabled humans to start cooperating on an unprecedented scale.

— Yuval Noah Harari

Bestselling author of "Sapiens" & historian studying human civilization

I'm fortunate that I can make a change that in a very positive way affects a better way of life for many humans as well as all living creatures and our planet while I'm alive and that will live on

— John Paul Dejoria

Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell Systems & The Patrón Spirits Company

the most important thing is to commit your resources, whether it's money or time, to a cause that you're passionate about, whether that is a local school, supporting an environmental project, or helping poor kids in Africa

— Jeff Raikes

Former Microsoft executive and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation president

charity and philanthropy are the same. Charity giving is more aligned with money and not so much individual time. Philanthropy is more of a practice and way of being

— John Paul Dejoria

Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell Systems & The Patrón Spirits Company

Boys we just donated to the Salvation Army. They help people that do not have homes or food. Always remember in life there will always be someone that will be in more in need. We could only afford a dime that year, but we gave to help out others!

— John Paul Dejoria

Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell Systems & The Patrón Spirits Company

I feel it is the duty for every human and company to do something to either make their community, their city, their state, their country or the world a better place to live. You don't have to contribute financially, but rather your time, smile and good wishes to start the ball rolling. Time is a very valuable thing, when you contribute your time to others- you've contributed something of great value

— John Paul Dejoria

Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell Systems & The Patrón Spirits Company

I made a principled decision that none of my wealth will be passed on as inheritance, that my capital will work for philanthropic causes. In other words, philanthropy is the reason I make money.

— Vladimir Potanin

Russian Oligarch & Owner of Norilsk Nickel Mining Company

If you go to any rave, or any football event, you will find people chanting in a rhythm- human beings do that. We have this sense to participate and organise- Music lets you rediscover your humanity, and your connection to humanity. When you listen to Mozart with other people, you feel that somehow- we're all in this together….

— Hans Zimmer

Acclaimed film composer known for scores like The Lion King and Inception