Carlos Slim has a $60 billion fortune and is the fifth richest person in the world — here are 18 of his most brilliant quotes

Mexican businessman Carlos Slim Helu is a multi-billionaire, Mexico's wealthiest man, and was once the richest person in the world .

And considering his $60 billion fortune was completely self-made, it's safe to say the 79-year-old knows a thing or two about life and business.

Slim's fortune largely stems from telecommunications he and his family control the biggest mobile telecom firm in Latin America, America Movil. But Slim also has interests in mining, real estate, construction, and consumer goods, according to Forbes . Plus, he owns a 17% stake of The New York Times, not to mentionquite an expansive art collection.

Over the years, Slim has shared his thoughts on success, leadership, and politics, and aspiring entrepreneurs turn to his words for inspiration.

We took a look at 18 of Slim's most brilliant quotes. Check them out below.

"Success is not about doing things well or even very well, or being acknowledged by others."

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ITU Pictures/ Flickr

He continued: "It is not an external opinion, but rather an internal status. It is the harmony between the soul and your emotions, which requires love, family, friendship, authenticity and integrity."

Source: Letter to Young People , a 1994 address to the university community in Mexico City

"Firm and patient optimism always yields its rewards."

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Reuters

This is one of Slim's guiding principles at his Grupo Carso business.

Source: CarlosSlim.com

"If you are in business, you are not enjoying. You are working."

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AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

This was his response when asked if he would consider buying the New York Yankees, of which he is a fan.

Source: Newsweek

"Shorter workweeks are a solution to civilization shifts."

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WPA Pool / Getty Images

Source: Bloomberg Businessweek

"When you give, do not expect to receive."

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Thos Robinson/Stringer

Source: Letter to Young People , a 1994 address to the university community in Mexico City

"This is the most surprising example of national unity that Ive had the pleasure of seeing in my life."

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Marco Ugarte/AP Images

Slim stated this during a 2017 press conference in Mexico City, referring to how President Donald Trump's attacks on his country particularly on trade and immigration topics helped unite Mexicans.

Source: Reuters

"Twitter is not a way to negotiate."

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Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Slim was referencing Trump's penchant for discussing foreign relations policy via the social media platform.

Source: CNN

"Do not allow negative feelings and emotions to control your mind."

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EUTERS/Edgard Garrido

"Emotional harm does not come from others," he explained. "It is conceived and developed within ourselves."

Source: Letter to Young People , a 1994 address to the university community in Mexico City

"I believe that we have to find means for all desirable things to be universally accessible."

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Rebecca Blackwell/AP

He listed those as: "Culture. Entertainment. Sport. Communication. Health. Food. Housing. The fundamental things."

Source: The Telegraph

"All times are good times for those who know how to work and have the means to do so."

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REUTERS/Henry Romero

Another of Slim's Grupo Carso guiding principles.

Source: CarlosSlim.com

"Lifes road is very long, but it is traveled fast."

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AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo

"Live the present intensely and fully, do not let the past be a burden, and let the future be an incentive," he continued. "Each person forges his or her own destiny and it may influence reality. Do not ignore it."

Source: Letter to Young People , a 1994 address to the university community in Mexico City

"Theres resistance to all change. The most profound change is this new civilization. This new civilization changes from an industrial society to a service one."

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Shutterstock

Source: Bloomberg Businessweek

"Work well done is not only a responsibility to yourselves and society; it is also an emotional need."

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Eloy Alonso/ Reuters

Source: Letter to Young People , a 1994 address to the university community in Mexico City

"Its important that people dont retire at 50, 60, or 65 years old. I think people should retire later, because theyll have more knowledge and experience. And I think they should work three days a week, so that it creates space for others."

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UN Geneva/ Flickr

Source: Bloomberg Businessweek

"Guilt and fear make the present difficult and obstruct the future. To fight them, let us have good sense and accept ourselves as we are, with our realities, our merits, and our sorrows."

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REUTERS/Henry Romero

Source: Letter to Young People , a 1994 address to the university community in Mexico City

"Its important to give a better country to your children, but it is more important to give better children to your country."

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Bret Reyes/Shutterstock

Slim said this to Diane Sawyer during a "Good Morning America" segment.

Source: KVIA.com

"There is no challenge that we cannot overcome by working united, and with clear vision in the goals and knowing the tools.

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Kimberly White/Getty Images

Source: CarlosSlim.com

"At the end we depart with nothing. We leave behind only our work, family, and friends, and, perhaps, a positive influence which we have planted."

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Mario Tama/Getty Images

Carlos Slim has a $60 billion fortune and is the fifth richest person in the world — here are 18 of his most brilliant quotes

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"Success is not about doing things well or even very well, or being acknowledged by others."

"Firm and patient optimism always yields its rewards."

"If you are in business, you are not enjoying. You are working."

"Shorter workweeks are a solution to civilization shifts."

"When you give, do not expect to receive."

"This is the most surprising example of national unity that Ive had the pleasure of seeing in my life."

"Twitter is not a way to negotiate."

"Do not allow negative feelings and emotions to control your mind."

"I believe that we have to find means for all desirable things to be universally accessible."

"All times are good times for those who know how to work and have the means to do so."

"Lifes road is very long, but it is traveled fast."

"Theres resistance to all change. The most profound change is this new civilization. This new civilization changes from an industrial society to a service one."

"Work well done is not only a responsibility to yourselves and society; it is also an emotional need."

"Its important that people dont retire at 50, 60, or 65 years old. I think people should retire later, because theyll have more knowledge and experience. And I think they should work three days a week, so that it creates space for others."

"Guilt and fear make the present difficult and obstruct the future. To fight them, let us have good sense and accept ourselves as we are, with our realities, our merits, and our sorrows."

"Its important to give a better country to your children, but it is more important to give better children to your country."

"There is no challenge that we cannot overcome by working united, and with clear vision in the goals and knowing the tools.

"At the end we depart with nothing. We leave behind only our work, family, and friends, and, perhaps, a positive influence which we have planted."

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Carlos Slim has a $60 billion fortune and is the fifth richest person in the world — here are 18 of his most brilliant quotes

Recommended articles

"Success is not about doing things well or even very well, or being acknowledged by others."

"Firm and patient optimism always yields its rewards."

"If you are in business, you are not enjoying. You are working."

"Shorter workweeks are a solution to civilization shifts."

"When you give, do not expect to receive."

"This is the most surprising example of national unity that Ive had the pleasure of seeing in my life."

"Twitter is not a way to negotiate."

"Do not allow negative feelings and emotions to control your mind."

"I believe that we have to find means for all desirable things to be universally accessible."

"All times are good times for those who know how to work and have the means to do so."

"Lifes road is very long, but it is traveled fast."

"Theres resistance to all change. The most profound change is this new civilization. This new civilization changes from an industrial society to a service one."

"Work well done is not only a responsibility to yourselves and society; it is also an emotional need."

"Its important that people dont retire at 50, 60, or 65 years old. I think people should retire later, because theyll have more knowledge and experience. And I think they should work three days a week, so that it creates space for others."

"Guilt and fear make the present difficult and obstruct the future. To fight them, let us have good sense and accept ourselves as we are, with our realities, our merits, and our sorrows."

"Its important to give a better country to your children, but it is more important to give better children to your country."

"There is no challenge that we cannot overcome by working united, and with clear vision in the goals and knowing the tools.

"At the end we depart with nothing. We leave behind only our work, family, and friends, and, perhaps, a positive influence which we have planted."

READ MORE:

11 unbelievable facts about Mexicos economy

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Recommended articles

Top 10 African countries with the highest fuel prices in April 2024

The gold trade in Uganda makes a huge comeback

Best live dealer casino: Top USA live casinos online

Best real money online casinos USA: Top 10 casino sites in 2024

OPEC excited about partnership with Namibia

The US loses to Russia and China in popularity across Africa

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Africa's giants play tug of war for the top economic spot

Morocco is making giant strides to become Africa's aviation manufacturing hub

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