By a more than $10 billion margin, Bill Gates sits alone at the top of the list of the world’s billionaires. Currently the head of the world’s largest charitable organization – The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – saving lives in the developing world and working to revamp the American educational system.

Born in Seattle, Washington on October 28th, 1955 and currently worth a whopping $86.9 billion (as of April 2017). Gates would co-found Microsoft in 1975 and go on to be a lead pioneer of the computer revolution, overseeing every line of that early code and even writing much of it himself. He’s been on the world’s wealthiest list since ’87, and at this point, he’s got so much cash, he’s flying over the world working with other billionaires to get them to give almost half of it away or invest in world-improving causes. So what wise words can the man with fattest purse impart on us? Though not known for being the most loquacious type, when Mr. Gates speaks, he doesn’t waste his words. Here are 7 quotes from the man himself.

“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.””It’s fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”

This first pair of quotes speaks volumes. Robert Greene, in his 48 Laws of Power, warns of the dangers of success, and how it affects the mind at times. Winning is great, and Learning from other people’s mistakes saves time, but nothing gets your game sharper than falling on your ass. Don’t let past successes go to your head. Experience is the best teacher.

“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.”

According to Napoleon Hill, great leadership can broken down to these 11 attributes: Courage, Self-Control, Keen Sense of Justice, Definiteness of Decision, Definiteness of Plans, The Habit of Doing More than Paid For, A Pleasing Personality, Sympathy & Understanding, Attention to Detail, Willingness to Assume Full Responsibility, and Co-Operation. It’s all about how you make others feel, and do you make your team better for your being on it? Do you elevate your locker room or tear it asunder?

“Life is not fair; get used to it.”

Pretty self explanatory, but understanding that it’s unfair for all of us, that some times things just suck, helps us reshape our perspective. Reshaping perspectives – or shifting paradigms – gives you power over the circumstances, instead of the circumstances having power over you.

“I believe that if you show people the problems and you show them the solutions they will be moved to act.”

Confidence is a product of competence. Inaction is fueled by a lack of knowledge. When people know what to do and how to act in a given situation, they’re more likely to take quick decisive action.

“We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don’t let yourself be lulled into inaction.”

Wow, I had to chew on this one for awhile. Looming problems seem worse than they really are. Taking time to establish a bird’s eye view helps you see the bigger picture and not let your imagination blow things out of proportion. At the same time “objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.” The winds of change that are the future creep up on us quickly. Keep a vigilant eye, light feet, and a flexible mind ready to adapt.

“We make the future sustainable when we invest in the poor, not when we insist on their suffering.”

This statement rings true particularly in today’s turbulent times. We’re only as strong as our weakest link and the more we build each other up, the higher we can all stand.

string(4096) "
By a more than $10 billion margin, Bill Gates sits alone at the top of the list of the world's billionaires. Currently the head of the world's largest charitable organization - The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - saving lives in the developing world and working to revamp the American educational system. 
Born in Seattle, Washington on October 28th, 1955 and currently worth a whopping $86.9 billion (as of April 2017).  Gates would co-found Microsoft in 1975 and go on to be a lead pioneer of the computer revolution, overseeing every line of that early code and even writing much of it himself. He's been on the world's wealthiest list since '87, and at this point, he's got so much cash, he's flying over the world working with other billionaires to get them to give almost half of it away or invest in world-improving causes. So what wise words can the man with fattest purse impart on us? Though not known for being the most loquacious type, when Mr. Gates speaks, he doesn't waste his words. Here are 7 quotes from the man himself.
"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose.""It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure."
This first pair of quotes speaks volumes. Robert Greene, in his 48 Laws of Power, warns of the dangers of success, and how it affects the mind at times. Winning is great, and Learning from other people's mistakes saves time, but nothing gets your game sharper than falling on your ass. Don't let past successes go to your head. Experience is the best teacher.

"As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others."
According to Napoleon Hill, great leadership can broken down to these 11 attributes: Courage, Self-Control, Keen Sense of Justice, Definiteness of Decision, Definiteness of Plans, The Habit of Doing More than Paid For, A Pleasing Personality, Sympathy & Understanding, Attention to Detail, Willingness to Assume Full Responsibility, and Co-Operation. It's all about how you make others feel, and do you make your team better for your being on it? Do you elevate your locker room or tear it asunder?
"Life is not fair; get used to it."
Pretty self explanatory, but understanding that it's unfair for all of us, that some times things just suck, helps us reshape our perspective. Reshaping perspectives - or shifting paradigms - gives you power over the circumstances, instead of the circumstances having power over you.
"I believe that if you show people the problems and you show them the solutions they will be moved to act."
Confidence is a product of competence. Inaction is fueled by a lack of knowledge. When people know what to do and how to act in a given situation, they're more likely to take quick decisive action.
"We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don't let yourself be lulled into inaction."
Wow, I had to chew on this one for awhile. Looming problems seem worse than they really are. Taking time to establish a bird's eye view helps you see the bigger picture and not let your imagination blow things out of proportion. At the same time "objects in the mirror are closer than they appear." The winds of change that are the future creep up on us quickly. Keep a vigilant eye, light feet, and a flexible mind ready to adapt.
"We make the future sustainable when we invest in the poor, not when we insist on their suffering."
This statement rings true particularly in today's turbulent times. We're only as strong as our weakest link and the more we build each other up, the higher we can all stand. 
"

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