Phil Knight

“The thing that got us going early was the running boom. And then, I think, we rode the Jordan bit, which then kind of crossed us over into the pop culture.”

“Sports is like rock 'n' roll. Both are dominant cultural forces, both speak an international language, and both are all about emotions.”

“When you really understand who you are, it enables you to fight and believe.”

“For some, I realize, business is the all-out pursuit of profits, period, full stop, but for us business was no more about making money than being human is about making blood.”

“He was easy to talk to, and easy not to talk to—equally important qualities in a friend.”

“If there's one thing, I've been pretty good at evaluating people.”

“We took advantage of the running boom, which became the jogging boom, which became the fitness boom... and we've benefited from all of that.”

“Beating the competition is relatively easy. Beating yourself is a never-ending commitment.”

“I do believe that international trade agreements benefit both nations, always.”

“I didn't say I'm walking away. I said I was stepping down as chairman. I won't walk away. I'll be carried away.”

“Running is a basic ingredient for your health, just as much as eating and sleeping, but going out for a run by yourself and taking a moment to think also creates a certain peace.”

“We wanted Nike to be the world's best sports and fitness company. Once you say that, you have a focus. You don't end up making wing tips or sponsoring the next Rolling Stones world tour.”

“If you're trying to get into the sports business, you really have to find a niche.”

“I know when the Berlin wall went down and I walked into what was East Berlin and saw two big Nike banners - that gave me a chill.”

“Obviously, the bulk of my Nike shares have been set up in a trust.”

“Every businessman, or every person who has a passion for his work, is torn for the time spent at work and the time spent with your family.”

“I think I'm not a natural-born salesman, for sure, but If I have a product I really believe in, I can overcome some of the shyness and get through the things that aren't natural to me.”

“There is an immutable conflict at work in life and in business, a constant battle between peace and chaos. Neither can be mastered, but both can be influenced. How you go about that is the key to success.”

“In running, the only equipment that really matters - at least the mentality was in those days - were the pair of shoes that you wore.”

“We knew we could fail; we just didn't think we would.”