The concept of vertical progress: Thiel introduces the idea of vertical progress, which involves creating something new and moving from 0 to 1. He contrasts it with horizontal progress, which is incremental and involves copying or improving existing ideas. According to Thiel, vertical progress has a more significant impact on society and is crucial for economic growth.

Part of getting to know yourself is to unknow yourself—to let go of the limiting stories you’ve told yourself about who you are so that you aren’t trapped by them, so you can live your life and not the story you’ve been telling yourself about your life.

In leadership, things change. Events change, circumstances change, people change. As a matter of fact, leadership is all about change.

God spoke to them not because they had special abilities, but because they were willing to listen.

Don’t live in either your past or your future. Always concentrate on the present.

Founders often receive one year of their stock right away, then the rest after the next three years.

When my needs and my feelings and my self are the indulged center of things, all hell will eventually break loose. When Christ is preeminent in me and in my friend, the kingdom of heaven arrives on earth.

The low view of God entertained almost universally among Christians is the cause of a hundred lesser evils everywhere among us. … With our loss of the sense of majesty has come the further loss of religious awe and consciousness of the divine Presence. We have lost our spirit of worship and our ability to withdraw inwardly to meet God in adoring silence

If you want to have allies—always a good thing if you want influence—you obviously need to provide others with something so they will support you.

I have come to realize that bad times coupled with good reflections provide some of the best lessons, and not just about business but also about relationships.