Before attempting to create something new, it is vital to have a good appreciation of everything that already exists in this field.

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

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 created a weapon to defend the borders of my motherland. It's not my fault that it's being used where it shouldn't be. The politicians are more to blame for this.

I wanted to invent an engine that could run for ever. I could have developed a new train, had I stayed in the railway. It would have looked like the AK-47 though.

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

The fact that people die because of an AK-47 is not because of the designer, but because of politics.

When I see Bin Laden with his AK-47, I got nervous. But what can I do, terrorists aren't fools: they too chose the most reliable guns.

I sleep well. It's the politicians who are to blame for failing to come to an agreement and resorting to violence.

It is painful for me to see when criminal elements of all kinds fire from my weapon.

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.

Poetry is a way of taking life by the throat.

In science, progress is possible. In fact, if one believes in Bayes' theorem, scientific progress is inevitable as predictions are made and as beliefs are tested and refined.

I could start a war in 30 seconds. But some countries spend 100 years trying to find peace. Just like good manners, peace has to be learned.

Art is a revolt against fate. All art is a revolt against man's fate.

They laughed at Joan of Arc, but she went right ahead and built it.

No doubt another may also think for me; but it is not therefore desirable that he should do so to the exclusion of my thinking for myself.

Grammar school never taught me anything about grammar.

We do ourselves wrong, and too meanly estimate the holiness above us, when we deem that any act or enjoyment good in itself, is not good to do religiously.

Electronics was something I could always fall back on when I needed food on the table.

This terrible tragedy.... the entire international community should unite in the struggle against terrorism this is a blatant challenge to humanity.