23 attributable Musk quotes — each dated, given context, and linked to a source so they can't be misquoted out of thin air.
“If something's important enough you should try.”
From a 2014 CBS 60 Minutes interview: asked by Scott Pelley why he started Tesla when he thought it would most likely fail, Musk replied that one should try anyway — even if 'the probable outcome is failure.'
Source“I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact.”
Said during his keynote interview at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas.
Source“AI is a fundamental risk to the existence of human civilization.”
Warning delivered to U.S. governors at the National Governors Association summer meeting.
Source“With artificial intelligence we are summoning the demon.”
Said at the MIT AeroAstro Centennial Symposium, urging caution on AI.
Source“I think it's possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.”
Remark on personal potential and the choice not to conform to convention.
Source“The future of humanity is going to bifurcate in two directions: Either it's going to become multiplanetary, or it's going to remain confined to one planet and eventually there's going to be an extinction event.”
Said during an interview at the D11 (AllThingsD) technology conference; reported live by VentureBeat the same day.
Source“We don't want to be one of those single-planet species; we want to be a multi-planet species.”
Comment on SpaceX's long-term mission to settle Mars and ensure humanity's survival.
Source“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.”
From a 2014 interview with Nathan Gardels (The WorldPost) on why an optimistic view of the future matters.
Source“It is important to view knowledge as sort of a semantic tree — make sure you understand the fundamental principles, i.e. the trunk and big branches, before you get into the leaves/details or there is nothing for them to hang on to.”
Reddit AMA reply explaining his approach to learning quickly.
Source“I think we should be very cautious about artificial intelligence. If I were to guess at what our biggest existential threat is, it's probably that.”
Said at the MIT AeroAstro Centennial Symposium.
Source“Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated.”
Statement issued when he agreed to acquire Twitter.
Source“By “free speech”, I simply mean that which matches the law. I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law.”
Posted on Twitter clarifying his philosophy after agreeing to buy the platform.
Source“I'm just trying to think about the future and not be sad.”
Said near the close of his 2017 TED interview with Chris Anderson, on what motivates him.
Source“I think by the time we are reactive in AI regulation, it’s too late.”
Said to U.S. governors while arguing for proactive oversight of artificial intelligence.
Source“About half my money is intended to help problems on Earth & half to help establish a self-sustaining city on Mars to ensure continuation of life (of all species) in case Earth gets hit by a meteor like the dinosaurs or WW3 happens & we destroy ourselves.”
Posted in a Twitter thread about why he wants money and what he intends to do with his wealth.
Source“Boil things down to their fundamental truths and reason up from there, as opposed to reasoning by analogy.”
Describing his first-principles problem-solving method in his 2013 TED interview.
Source“Tesla engineering has transitioned to focus heavily on designing the machine that makes the machine — turning the factory itself into a product.”
On why Tesla treats manufacturing itself as the core engineering challenge, from Master Plan, Part Deux.
Source“Being an entrepreneur is like eating glass and staring into the abyss of death.”
His closing line when interviewed on stage at the Founder Showcase startup event (Aug 3, 2010).
Source“I think it's extremely important that we have sustainable transport and sustainable energy production.”
On the importance of the energy transition, in his 2013 TED interview.
Source“Ultimately we can achieve a symbiosis with artificial intelligence.”
Said at Neuralink's launch presentation, describing the company's ultimate goal of merging the human brain with AI.
Source“Nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week.”
Posted to Twitter, on the intensity he believes doing hard things requires.
Source“The overarching purpose of Tesla Motors (and the reason I am funding the company) is to help expedite the move from a mine-and-burn hydrocarbon economy towards a solar electric economy.”
The overarching purpose stated in Tesla's original 2006 'Secret Master Plan.'
Source“I am selling almost all physical possessions. Will own no house.”
Announcing on Twitter that he was shedding personal assets.
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