After a lifetime of swimming upstream, I am convinced that one of the real secrets to Wal-mart's phenomenal success has been that very tendency.

Control your expenses better than your competition. This is where you can always find the competitive advantage.

I had to get up everyday with my mind set on improving something.

I not only knew I wanted to go into retailing, I also knew I wanted to go into business for myself.

Communicate everything you can to your associates. The more they know, the more they care. Once they care, there is no stopping them.

A computer can tell you down to the dime what you've sold, but it can never tell you how much you could have sold.

I think I overcame every single one of my personal shortcomings by the sheer passion I brought to my work. I don't know if you're born with this kind of passion, or if you can learn it. But I do know you need it.