Portrait of Peter Thiel

Peter Thiel

PayPal co-founder, investor

Contemporary influential 105 sayings

Sayings by Peter Thiel

Competition is for losers.

2014 — Controversial business philosophy
Wisdom Confirmed

I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible.

2009 — Critique of modern democracy
Inspirational Confirmed

The most contrarian thing of all is not to oppose the crowd but to think for yourself.

2014 — Philosophy on independent thinking
Wisdom Unverifiable

I’m interested in companies that are like cults but not actually cults.

2014 — Discussing company culture
Wisdom Unverifiable

The internet is a disappointment.

2013 — Critique of technological progress
Wisdom Unverifiable

I’m not a libertarian. I’m a contrarian.

2011 — Clarifying his political stance
Wisdom Unverifiable

The most extreme form of inequality is between the living and the dead.

2014 — Advocating for life extension research
Justice & Rights Unverifiable

I think feminism has made the world worse for women.

2016 — Controversial statement on feminism
Wisdom Unverifiable

The best startups are basically conspiracies.

2014 — Describing early-stage companies
Wisdom Unverifiable

I’m against the idea of inevitable progress.

2014 — Critique of technological optimism
Wisdom Unverifiable

The greatest danger for our civilization is that we may discover a technology that enables us to create a totalitarian state.

2011 — Interview with Forbes
General Unverifiable

I think the internet has been a net negative for productivity.

2017 — Interview with Bloomberg
General Unverifiable

If you are a very talented person, you have a choice: you can go to Google or you can go to work on a startup. I'd encourage you to work on a startup. Even if you fail, you'll learn a lot more.

2012 — Stanford University lecture, 'CS183: Startup'
General Unverifiable

We wanted flying cars, instead we got 140 characters.

2011 — Interview with The New Yorker
General Unverifiable

I think political correctness is a big problem for Silicon Valley.

2016 — Interview on Fox News
Political Unverifiable

The most important thing I learned in business is that every business is different.

2014 — Book 'Zero to One'
General Unverifiable

The future is always more surprising than we think.

2014 — Book 'Zero to One'
General Unverifiable

Monopoly is the condition of every successful business.

2014 — Book 'Zero to One'
General Unverifiable

I'm a contrarian, and I believe that the truth is often found in unpopular opinions.

Ongoing — Various interviews
General Unverifiable

I think we should be building things that are hard to do, not just easy things.

2012 — Interview with The New York Times
General Unverifiable
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