Portrait of Sam Altman

Sam Altman

OpenAI CEO

Contemporary influential 97 sayings

Sayings by Sam Altman

If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late.

2010s — Often attributed to Reid Hoffman, but Altman has used similar sentiments
General Unverifiable

The world is run by people who show up.

2019 — Tweet
General Unverifiable

Optimism is a moral imperative.

2017 — Blog Post: 'American Equity'
General Unverifiable

The only way to do great work is to love what you do.

2014 — Y Combinator Startup School
Relationships Unverifiable

If you're going to fail, fail fast and learn from it.

2015 — Interview with TechCrunch
General Unverifiable

The internet is still early.

2018 — Tweet
General Unverifiable

Don't be afraid to ask for help.

2014 — Y Combinator Startup School
General Unverifiable

The best startups are founded by people who are obsessed with a problem.

2014 — Y Combinator Startup School
General Unverifiable

The future is going to be built by people who are willing to take risks.

2016 — Interview with Bloomberg
General Unverifiable

Don't optimize for wealth, optimize for impact.

2017 — Tweet
General Unverifiable

The most important skill is learning how to learn.

2014 — Y Combinator Startup School
General Unverifiable

Always be shipping.

2014 — Y Combinator Startup School
General Unverifiable

The best way to get rich is to make other people rich.

2015 — Interview with Inc. Magazine
Work & Money Unverifiable

Think big, start small, scale fast.

2014 — Y Combinator Startup School
General Unverifiable

The most dangerous thing you can do is not take a risk.

2015 — Interview with Entrepreneur Magazine
General Unverifiable

The future is going to be amazing, but it's not going to be easy.

2019 — Tweet
General Unverifiable

Don't chase trends, create them.

2014 — Y Combinator Startup School
Food & Drink Unverifiable

The most important thing is to have a mission.

2014 — Y Combinator Startup School
General Unverifiable

The world needs more builders.

2018 — Tweet
General Unverifiable

If you want to be successful, you have to be willing to do things that others aren't.

2018 — Interview with Forbes
General Unverifiable
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