Portrait of Bill Gates

Bill Gates

Microsoft co-founder

Contemporary influential 114 sayings

Sayings by Bill Gates

I really had a lot of fun writing software.

2000s — Interview on his early career
General Unverifiable

Measuring programming progress by lines of code is like measuring aircraft building progress by weight.

1995 — Book 'The Road Ahead'
General Unverifiable

I'm a great believer that any tool that enhances communication has profound effects in terms of how people can learn, and how they can achieve their potential.

1990s — Interview
Food & Drink Confirmed

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

Undated — Widely attributed, but difficult to find a direct source. Often shared as a motivational quote.
General Unverifiable

The computer was born to solve problems that did not exist before.

1995 — Interview with David Letterman
General Unverifiable

The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency.

1995 — Book 'The Road Ahead'
Work & Money Unverifiable

Microsoft has had its successes and failures, but we've always tried to learn from them.

2000s — Interview
General Unverifiable

The world is not a zero-sum game.

2000s — Speech/interview, often used in his philanthropic work context
General Unverifiable

I'm a big believer that a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.

2000s — Interview
General Unverifiable

Capitalism is a pretty awesome thing.

2014 — Interview with Charlie Rose
General Unverifiable

Discrimination has no place in the world.

2017 — Tweet
General Unverifiable

The future of the Internet is to be a multi-platform, multi-device, multi-form factor experience.

2006 — CES Keynote
General Unverifiable

I'm a big fan of the idea of learning, and I think that's what we're all here for.

2000s — Interview
General Unverifiable

The greatest danger in the world is not knowing what you're doing.

Undated — Attributed, but exact source is vague.
Food & Drink Unverifiable

In the new economy, we are all learners.

1999 — Book 'Business @ the Speed of Thought'
General Unverifiable

The world is not interested in your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Undated — Often cited as one of his 'rules for life', similar to the teacher quote.
General Unverifiable

The power of the internet is that it can connect people to information and to each other.

2000s — Interview
General Unverifiable

If you want to have a big impact, you have to take big risks.

Undated — Attributed, but hard to pinpoint exact source.
General Unverifiable

I believe in innovation and that the way you get innovation is you fund research and you learn the basic facts.

2014 — Interview with Charlie Rose
General Unverifiable

We're not going to achieve real progress unless we get more women into leadership roles.

2018 — Tweet
General Unverifiable
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