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I don’t think it’s a good idea to plan to sell a company.

If you get up in the morning and think the future is going to be better, it is a bright day. Otherwise, it’s not.

Life needs to be more than just solving problems every day. You need to wake up and be excited about the future.

I’m interested in things that change the world or that affect the future and wondrous, new technology where you see it, and you’re like, ‘Wow, how did that even happen? How is that possible?'

It's OK to have your eggs in one basket as long as you control what happens to that basket.

If you’re trying to create a company, it’s like baking a cake. You have to have all the ingredients in the right proportion.

We have a strict ‘no-assholes policy’ at SpaceX.

As much as possible, avoid hiring MBAs. MBA programs don’t teach people how to create companies.

It is possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.

Constantly seek criticism. A well-thought-out critique of whatever you’re doing is as valuable as gold.

If you’re co-founder or CEO, you have to do all kinds of tasks you might not want to do… If you don’t do your chores, the company won’t succeed… No task is too menial.

Talent is extremely important. It’s like a sports team, the team that has the best individual player will often win, but then there’s a multiplier from how those players work together and the strategy they employ.

People should pursue what they’re passionate about. That will make them happier than pretty much anything else.

It is possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.

If you get up in the morning and think the future is going to be better, it is a bright day. Otherwise, it’s not.

You should take the approach that you’re wrong. Your goal is to be less wrong.

The first step is to establish that something is possible then probability will occur.

The idea of lying on a beach as my main thing just sounds like the worst. It sounds horrible to me. I would go bonkers. I would have to be on serious drugs. I’d be super-duper bored. I like high intensity.

My proceeds from the PayPal acquisition were $180 million. I put $100 million in SpaceX, $70m in Tesla, and $10m in Solar City. I had to borrow money for rent.

I think you should always bear in mind that entropy is not on your side.