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This article was first published 11 years ago

10 quotes reveal how Bill Gates became so rich

Last updated on: November 27, 2012 10:06 IST

Image: Bill with his wife Melinda Gates at Davos, Switzerland.
Photographs: Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters

Bill Gates is not only extremely wealthy, donates a lot of his money and time to charity, but is also the reason the world is using personal computers.

Let's take a look at some of his best quotes.

Source: Business Insider

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10 quotes reveal how Bill Gates became so rich

Image: Bill Gates in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Photographs: Jim Urquhart/Reuters

On being a 'business man'

"Of my mental cycles, I devote maybe 10 per cent to business thinking. Business isn't that complicated. I wouldn't want to put it on my business card."

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10 quotes reveal how Bill Gates became so rich

Image: Bill Gates tosses newspapers as Warren Buffett looks on during the Berkshire Hathaway Annual shareholders meeting in Omaha.
Photographs: Lane Hickenbottom/Reuters

On how he defines 'smart'

"It's an elusive concept. There's a certain sharpness, an ability to absorb new facts. To walk into a situation, have something explained to you and immediately say, 'Well, what about this?' To ask an insightful question. To absorb it in real time. A capacity to remember. To relate to domains that may not seem connected at first. A certain creativity that allows people to be effective."

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10 quotes reveal how Bill Gates became so rich

Image: Bill Gates plays bridge during the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting weekend in Omaha.
Photographs: Rick Wilking/Reuters

On telling employees the truth, quickly

"If I think something's a waste of time or inappropriate I don't wait to point it out. I say it right away. It's real time. So you might hear me say 'That's the dumbest idea I have ever heard' many times during a meeting."

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10 quotes reveal how Bill Gates became so rich

Image: Bill Gates and wife Melinda hold a child during their visit to a Danapur slum area in Patna.
Photographs: Krishna Murari Kishan/Reuters

On using fear as a motivator

"In this business, by the time you realise you're in trouble, it's too late to save yourself. Unless you're running scared all the time, you're gone."

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10 quotes reveal how Bill Gates became so rich

Image: Bill Gates watches the women's final at Roland Garros in Paris.
Photographs: Vincent Kessler/Reuters

On Steve Jobs

"The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honour. I will miss Steve immensely."

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10 quotes reveal how Bill Gates became so rich

Image: Bill Gates stands at the Mehrangadh Fort in Jodhpur.
Photographs: Stringer/Reuters

On unhappy customers

"Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning."

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10 quotes reveal how Bill Gates became so rich

Image: Bill Gates in front of Burj Al Arab in Dubai.
Photographs: Stringer/Reuters

On youthful entitlement and self-esteem

"The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself."

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10 quotes reveal how Bill Gates became so rich

Image: Slash, left, guitarist for Velvet Revolver band, plays next to Bill Gates in Las Vegas.
Photographs: Steve Marcus/Reuters

On boring parents

"Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room."

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10 quotes reveal how Bill Gates became so rich

Image: Honorary degree recipient Bill Gates walks past graduating students during Commencement Exercises at Harvard University in Cambridge.
Photographs: Brian Snyder/Reuters

On comparing yourself to others

"Don't compare yourself with anyone in this world... if you do so, you are insulting yourself."

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10 quotes reveal how Bill Gates became so rich

Image: Bill Gates at the Stanford University.
Photographs: Dino Vournas/Reuters

On success

"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose."