“When you struggle with a problem, that’s when you understand it.”

I always like going South; somehow, it feels like going downhill.

It is a mistake to hire huge numbers of people to get a complicated job done.

The extension of life beyond Earth is the most important thing we can do as a species.

Most people can learn a lot more than they think they can. They sell themselves short without trying.

Give people their freedom back!

I hate writing about personal stuff. I don’t have a Facebook page. I don’t use my Twitter account. I am familiar with both, but I don’t use them.

The only reason I was able to accomplish things is the great people willing to work with me.

My mentality is that of a samurai. I would rather commit seppuku than fail.

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

Persistence is very important. You should not give up unless you are forced to give up.

You want to have a future where you’re expecting things to be better, not one where you’re expecting things to be worse.

For my part, I will never give up, and I mean never.

When I was in college, I wanted to be involved in things that would change the world.

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

I think life on Earth must be about more than just solving problems. It’s got to be something inspiring, even if it is vicarious.

Tesla is here to stay and keep fighting for the electric car revolution.

My job as a leader is to make sure everybody in the company has great opportunities, and that they feel they’re having a meaningful impact.

Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.

We innovate by starting with the customer and working backwards. That becomes the touchstone for how we invent.

Chance favors the prepared mind. The more you practice, the luckier you become.

Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

As a precaution, we’re making machines extremely heavy with very tiny legs.

Everything comes to those who hustle while they wait.

Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.