Roman Abramovich

Our friendship was based on my payouts. That wasn’t a friendship when – as, for example, it’s me, my friends, we are friends for many years, and it doesn’t matter for me what the position is, where they work; we simply are friends. And with Mr. Berezovsky, our friendship was based on my payoffs.

I never insisted that I was a good student.

I really don’t retain information – by the time I arrive wherever I’m going, I already forget what it is that I wanted to say.

I myself never make any notes. Usually, if I write something down, I can’t read it afterwards.

In Moscow I feel most comfortable. I’m used to four different seasons; it’s difficult for people in London to understand. People brought up in Russia like my kids want to play in the snow.

I love this game, I love this sport, I love this league. Why don’t I get my own team?

If I had asked them what they had wanted, they would have said a faster horse.

When people are ‘stung’ in false investment schemes there are three causes; greed of something for nothing; sheer inability to know their mind; or infantile trustfulness.

Fairs and public displays are the best means we have yet found of showing large numbers of people the real methods of industry.

You don’t have to hold a position in order to be a leader.

Work mixed with management becomes not only easier but more profitable. The time is past when anyone can boast about ‘hard work’ without having a corresponding result to show for it.

The best way to make money in business is not to think too much about making it.

The way I run my business seems to be easier than the way I run my life.

Never write an advertisement which you wouldn’t want your family to read. You wouldn’t tell lies to your own wife. Don’t tell them to mine.

Chris and I came from nothing. We’re selfmade. We started with nothing, so we have nothing to lose. And we have everything to gain.

Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps engender the support decisions need to be successfully implemented.

The great need of the world has always been for leaders. With more leaders we could have more industry. More industry, more employment and comfort for all.

No business can succeed in any great degree without being properly organized.

The more predictable the business, the more valuable it is.

Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.

Do not primarily train men to work. Train them to serve willingly and intelligently.