Things that are complex are not useful, Things that are useful are simple.

I am still ready to shake hands with anyone who designs a better assault rifle than mine.

I would prefer to have invented a machine that people could use and that would help farmers with their work - for example a lawnmower.

I had to gain experience as I did not have a technical education.

My work is my life, and my life is my work. I invented this assault rifle to defend my country. Today, I am proud that it has become for many synonymous with liberty.

The AK-47 is not a device of aggression ... I devised this machine-gun for the security of my country.

When a young man, I read somewhere the following: God the Almighty said, 'All that is too complex is unnecessary, and it is simple that is needed.' So this has been my lifetime motto – I have been creating weapons to defend the borders of my fatherland, to be simple and reliable.