Trying to read our DNA is like trying to understand software code - with only 90% of the code riddled with errors. It's very difficult in that case to understand and predict what that software code is going to do.

To our knowledge, life exists on only one planet, Earth. If something bad happens, it's gone. I think we should establish life on another planet-Mars in particular-but we 're not making very good progress. SpaceX is intended to make that happen.

I don't think it's a good idea to plan to sell a company.

It's a fixer-upper of a planet but we could make it work.

There's a tremendous bias against taking risks. Everyone is trying to optimize their ass-covering.

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.

I'd like to dial it back 5% or 10% and try to have a vacation that's not just e-mail with a view.