Sam Walton — "I learn from everyone I meet even if it's learning what not to do."

"If you want a successful business, your people must feel that you are working for them—not that they are working for you."

"He always said hello to strangers and friends alike. Your status or popularity did not matter; Sam knew all the janitors by name."

"What we guard against around here is people saying, 'Let's think about it.' We make a decision. Then we act on it."

"I always tried to be a good role model."

"I like to tell a story about one of our early managers who wanted to buy a new car. I told him, 'You're not going to get a raise until you drive that car for five years.'"