--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: “I’m talking about greatness, about…" description: "\"“ “I’m talking about greatness, about taking a lever to the world and moving it,” Larry Ellison said, walking the grounds of his new Woodside property ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/009/julian-guthrie-98602_best-friend_i-m-talking-about-greatness-about-taking_201854.jpg" --- # “I’m talking about greatness, about taking a lever to the… ![““I’m talking about greatness, about taking a lever to the world and moving it,” Larry Ellison said, walking the grounds of his new Woodside property in spring 2000 with his best friend, Steve Jobs. “I’m not talking about moral perfection. I’m talking about people who changed the world the most…” quote by Julian Guthrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/009/julian-guthrie-98602_best-friend_i-m-talking-about-greatness-about-taking_201854.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/009/julian-guthrie-98602_best-friend_i-m-talking-about-greatness-about-taking_201854.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/009/julian-guthrie-98602_best-friend_i-m-talking-about-greatness-about-taking_201854.jpg) > ““ “I’m talking about greatness, about taking a lever to the world and moving it,” Larry Ellison said, walking the grounds of his new Woodside property in spring 2000 with his best friend, Steve Jobs. “I’m not talking about moral perfection. I’m talking about people who changed the world the most during their lifetime.” Jobs, who had returned to Apple three years earlier, enjoyed the conversational volleying with Larry about who was history’s greatest person. The Apple co-founder placed Leonardo da Vinci and Gandhi as his top choices, with Gandhi in the lead. Leonardo, a great artist and inventor, lived in violent times and was a designer of tanks, battlements, ramparts, and an assortment of other military tools and castle fortifications. Larry joked that had Leonardo not been gay, he would have been “a perfect fit for the Bush administration.” Jobs, who had studied in India, cited Gandhi’s doctrine of nonviolent revolution as an example of how it was possible to remain morally pure while aggressively pursuing change. Larry’s choice could not have been more different from Gandhi: the Corsican-born military leader Napoleon Bonaparte. “Napoleon overthrew kings and tyrants throughout Europe, created a system of free public schools, and wrote one set of laws that applied to everybody. Napoleon achieved liberal ends through conservative means,” Larry argued. " - The Billionaire and the Mechanic”” Julian Guthrie ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ellison discusses greatness by influencing the world, referencing historical figures like Leonardo, Gandhi, and Napoleon, highlighting diverse paths to impact. **In simple terms:** Greatness involves moving the world, inspired by varied historical role models. Key Takeaway Seek influence through bold action and learning from history. Themes greatness influence history role models leadership Mood inspirational thoughtful Type Best friend:0 Military leader:0 Perfect fit:0 Public schools:0 Steve jobs:0 Technology:0 Three years:0 Larry Ellison:0 People Who Change:0 Napoleon Bonaparte:0 Da Vinci:0 Leonardo Da Vinci:0 Steve Job:0 Greatest Person:0 Vinci Gandhi:0 Apple Founder:0 When to use this quote - entrepreneurship - social change - personal development Key Concepts strategic vision ethical impact cultural legacy Questions to Reflect On - Which historical figure inspires you most? - How can you apply their lessons today? A Different Perspective Comparisons may oversimplify complex legacies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Best friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-friend/) [Da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/da-vinci/) [Military leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military-leader/) [People Who Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-who-change/) [Public schools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-schools/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [Even under Apple founder Steve Jobs, the company did emphasize values. 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