For way too long, the politicians and the people in power have gotten away with not doing anything to fight the climate crisis, but we will make sure that they will not get away with...

That happens all the time. That’s basically all I hear. The most common criticism I get is that I’m being manipulated and you shouldn’t use children in political ways, because that is abuse, and I...

I have Asperger’s syndrome and that means I’m sometimes a bit different from the norm. And – given the right circumstances – being different is a superpower. It makes you think differently. And especially in...

We are facing an existential crisis… it will have a massive impact on our lives in the future, but also now, especially in vulnerable communities. And I think that we should wake up, and we...

We have lots of unions who are planning to strike, so, I mean, adults striking from their work. And that is so incredibly important to show that this is such an — this is not...

I want people to unite behind the science… And that is what we have to realize, that that is what we have to do right now.. I’m not the one who’s saying these things. I’m...

People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction. And all you can talk about is money and fairytales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!

Change is coming, whether you like it or not.

We deserve a safe future. And we demand a safe future. Is that really too much to ask?

You must unite behind the science. You must take action. You must do the impossible. Because giving up can never ever be an option.

When haters go after your looks and differences, it means they have nowhere left to go. And then you know you’re winning!

The moment we decide to fulfill something, we can do anything.

I want you to act as if the house is on fire, because it is.

Since our leaders are behaving like children, we will have to take the responsibility they should have taken long ago.

We are striking because we have done our homework, and they have not.

We showed that we are united and that we, young people, are unstoppable.

The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us, I say – we will never forgive you

The bottom line is that we knew the numbers would be big, but we were shocked at just how big.

So today is Halloween. I don’t celebrate it back home, but I thought I might give it a try. And apparently when it comes to scaring a bunch of angry climate crisis deniers – I...

This of course no problem. People are suffering all around the world, and I’m fine whatever I do and wherever I am.

I think it’s very important to have a feedback loop, where you’re constantly thinking about what you’ve done and how you could be doing it better.

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

I always have optimism, but I’m realistic. It was not with the expectation of great success that I started Tesla or SpaceX… It’s just that I thought they were important enough to do anyway.

If something has to be designed and invented, and you have to figure out how to ensure that the value of the thing you create is greater than the cost of the inputs, then that...

Don’t delude yourself into thinking something’s working when it’s not, or you’re gonna get fixated on a bad solution.

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

Disruptive technology where you really have a big technology discontinuity… tends to come from new companies.

I think the best way to attract venture capital is to try and come up with a demonstration of whatever product or service it is and ideally take that as far as you can. Just...

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

It’s very important to like the people you work with, otherwise life [and] your job is gonna be quite miserable.

I would just question things… It would infuriate my parents… That I wouldn’t just believe them when they said something ’cause I’d ask them why. And then I’d consider whether that response made sense given...

You have to say, ‘Well, why did it succeed where others did not?’

You shouldn’t do things differently just because they’re different. They need to be… better.

When somebody has a breakthrough innovation, it is rarely one little thing. Very rarely, is it one little thing. It’s usually a whole bunch of things that collectively amount to a huge innovation.

When Henry Ford made cheap, reliable cars, people said, ‘Nah, what’s wrong with a horse?’ That was a huge bet he made, and it worked.

I think we have a duty to maintain the light of consciousness to make sure it continues into the future.

If you’re trying to create a company, it’s like baking a cake

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.

I wouldn’t say I have a lack of fear. In fact, I’d like my fear emotion to be less because it’s very distracting and fries my nervous system.

Being an entrepreneur is like eating glass and staring into the abyss of death.

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

What makes innovative thinking happen?… I think it’s really a mindset. You have to decide.

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.

Really pay attention to negative feedback and solicit it, particularly from friends. Hardly anyone does that, and it’s incredibly helpful.

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?’

I’ve actually not read any books on time management.

Work like hell. I mean you just have to put in 80 to 100 hour weeks every week. [This] improves the odds of success. If other people are putting in 40 hour workweeks and you’re...

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...

There are really two things that have to occur in order for a new technology to be affordable to the mass market. One is you need economies of scale. The other is you need to...

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