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Steve Jobs: Over 100 Inspiring Quotes That Fuel Innovation and Creativity
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, is remembered not only for his visionary leadership but also for his profound and memorable quotes. His insights on innovation, design, and life have inspired millions and continue to influence the world of technology and beyond. In this article, we'll delve into some of his most famous quotes, categorized under various themes that elucidate his unique perspective and mindset.
Innovation Quotes
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
"Creativity is just connecting things."
"Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations."
"The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."
"Innovation has nothing to do with how many R&D dollars you have."
"I'm convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance."
"It’s really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them."
"You can’t just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they’ll want something new."
"We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?"
"Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity – not a threat."
"Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected."
"Real artists ship."
Design Quotes
"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."
"I’ve always been attracted to the more revolutionary changes. I don't know why. Because they're harder. They're much more stressful emotionally. And you usually go through a period where everybody tells you that you’ve completely failed."
"Most people make the mistake of thinking design is what it looks like. People think it’s this veneer - that the designers are handed this box and told, ‘Make it look good!’ That’s not what we think design is. It’s not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."
"Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains."
"Design is the fundamental soul of a man-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service."
"People think focus means saying yes to the thing you've got to focus on. But that's not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully."
"You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future."
"Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people."
"I've always been attracted to the more revolutionary changes. I don't know why."
"I want to put a ding in the universe."
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
"I'm as proud of many of the things we haven't done as the things we have done. Innovation is saying no to a thousand things."
Leadership Quotes
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
"It’s not about money. It’s about the people you have, how you’re led, and how much you get it."
"My model for business is The Beatles: They were four guys that kept each other’s negative tendencies in check. They balanced each other."
"Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected."
"Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."
"Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations."
"Stay hungry, stay foolish."
"We're here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?"
"Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."
"I've been rejected, but I am still in love."
Life Quotes
"Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life."
"Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice."
"Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition."
"I think the things you regret most in life are the things you didn’t do."
"For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’"
"Stay hungry. Stay foolish."
"Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles."
"Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful, that’s what matters to me."
"I want to put a ding in the universe."
"Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith."
"My favorite things in life don’t cost any money. It’s really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time."
"I didn't return to Apple to make a fortune. For example, Walt Disney was and still is my hero."
Success Quotes
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work."
"It’s not a faith in technology. It’s faith in people."
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."
"Creativity is just connecting things."
"Details matter, it’s worth waiting to get it right."
"Our goal is to make the best devices in the world, not to be the biggest."
"The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything."
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
"Get closer than ever to your customers. So close that you tell them what they need well before they realize it themselves."
"I think about my mistakes as nuggets."
"What a computer is to me is the most remarkable tool that we have ever come up with. It's the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds."
"I don’t care about being right. I care about success and doing the right thing."
Passion Quotes
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle."
"I'm convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance."
"People with passion can change the world for the better."
"You’ve got to find what you love."
"Stay hungry, stay foolish."
"I want to put a ding in the universe."
"Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful, that's what matters to me."
"Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do."
"I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out okay. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made."
"I’m as proud of what we don’t do as I am of what we do."
"The journey is the reward."
"I think if you do something and it turns out pretty good, then you should go do something else wonderful, not dwell on it for too long. Just figure out what’s next."
Risk Quotes
"Sometimes life's going to hit you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith."
"I'm convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance."
"The only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work."
"We don’t get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent. Because this is our life."
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
"I’ve been rejected, but I am still in love."
"For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?"
"Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations."
"My model for business is The Beatles: They were four guys that kept each other’s negative tendencies in check. They balanced each other."
"Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose."
"The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are those who do."
"Stay hungry. Stay foolish."
Perseverance Quotes
"I’m convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance."
"Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations."
"Stay hungry, stay foolish."
"I'm as proud of many of the things we haven't done as the things we have done. Innovation is saying no to a thousand things."
"Details matter, it's worth waiting to get it right."
"Real artists ship."
"We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?"
"Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected."
"Sometimes life’s going to hit you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith."
"I think if you do something and it turns out pretty good, then you should go do something else wonderful, not dwell on it for too long. Just figure out what's next."
"Innovation has nothing to do with how many R&D dollars you have."
"It’s really hard to design products by focus groups."
Vision Quotes
"Our goal is to make the best devices in the world, not to be the biggest."
"We're here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?"
"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
"You can't just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they'll want something new."
"People with passion can change the world for the better."
"Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do."
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life."
"When you're trying to innovate, the first thing you need to do is come up with a new name. Something that sounds American."
"I want to put a ding in the universe."
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."
"Apple's goal isn't to make money. Our goal is to design products that attract people."
Change Quotes
"The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
"Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life."
"I'm the only person I know that's lost a quarter of a billion dollars in one year. It's very character-building."
"The adventure continues."
"Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."
"Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose."
"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards."
"Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity - not a threat."
"Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles."
"Realizing that you are forever grateful for the impact you have made."
"Life is a puzzle, and you get to decide how all the pieces fit together."
Final words
Steve Jobs' quotes serve as a reflection of his extraordinary mind and the indelible impact he has left on the world of technology and innovation. His words remind us of the importance of perseverance, passion, vision, and the courage to pursue what truly matters to us. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned leader, or simply someone seeking inspiration, Jobs’ quotes offer timeless wisdom and insight. In a world where change is the only constant, his teachings encourage us to embrace innovation, strive for excellence, and put a meaningful dent in the universe. His legacy lives on, continuing to inspire future generations to think differently and push boundaries.
Discover a comprehensive collection of more than 100 inspiring quotes from Steve Jobs, designed to ignite innovation, creativity, and passion in your personal and professional life.
