--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My work is my life, and my life is my…" description: "\"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 synonymou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aca/mikhail-kalashnikov-16335_assault_my-work-is-my-life-and-my-life-is-my-wor_1605392.jpg" --- # My work is my life, and my life is my work. I invented… ![“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.” quote by Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aca/mikhail-kalashnikov-16335_assault_my-work-is-my-life-and-my-life-is-my-wor_1605392.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aca/mikhail-kalashnikov-16335_assault_my-work-is-my-life-and-my-life-is-my-wor_1605392.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aca/mikhail-kalashnikov-16335_assault_my-work-is-my-life-and-my-life-is-my-wor_1605392.jpg) > “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.” [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The rifle is portrayed as a symbol of liberty, reflecting the belief that defense tools empower national freedom. **In simple terms:** Rifles are seen as symbols of freedom. Key Takeaway Recognize the cultural impact of defense technology. Themes military freedom technology national identity Mood proud defensive Type political philosophical When to use this quote - defense policy - public perception - historical analysis Key Concepts symbolism political theory Questions to Reflect On - Do weapons truly represent liberty? - How does this view affect peace efforts? A Different Perspective Equating weapons with liberty can ignore ethical concerns of violence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Assault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assault/) [Assault rifles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assault-rifles/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) [Rifle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rifle/) [Rifles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rifles/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) ## Related quotes > [I am still ready to shake hands with anyone who designs a better assault rifle than mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/i-am-still-ready-to-shake-hands-with-anyone-who-designs-a-better/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [I don't know anyone in the hunting or sporting arena that goes out with an assault rifle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-manchin/i-don-t-know-anyone-in-the-hunting-or-sporting-arena-that-goes-out/) [Joe Manchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-manchin/) > [Any1 who would run out to buy an assault rifle after the Newtown massacre has very little left in their body or soul worth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/any1-who-would-run-out-to-buy-an-assault-rifle-after-the-newtown/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) > [If have to undergo preschool safety checks every morning, why does a random thug get to own an assault rifle?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-pelosi/if-have-to-undergo-preschool-safety-checks-every-morning-why-does-a/) [Christine Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-pelosi/) > [People often ask me how I feel about my invention being used to kill people every day and the AK being a common weapon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/people-often-ask-me-how-i-feel-about-my-invention-being-used-to-kill/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [I do not consider the AK to be the best-ever assault rifle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/i-do-not-consider-the-ak-to-be-the-best-ever-assault-rifle/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [I believe in our Constitutional right to bear arms and protect ourselves. But I do not believe there is any need for civilians to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chipper-jones/i-believe-in-our-constitutional-right-to-bear-arms-and-protect/) [Chipper Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chipper-jones/) > [As long as the peace-makers are armed with assault rifles, it's highly unlikely we'll ever have peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-gerard-trotman/as-long-as-the-peace-makers-are-armed-with-assault-rifles-it-s-highly/) [Wayne Gerard Trotman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-gerard-trotman/) > [You should not have assault rifles in your home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-patchett/you-should-not-have-assault-rifles-in-your-home/) [Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/) > [Over the past 30 years, hand grenades, tanks, fighter jets, missiles, helicopters and assault rifles have replaced traditional floral patterns in rug making and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-cole/over-the-past-30-years-hand-grenades-tanks-fighter-jets-missiles/) [Henri Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-cole/) > [If women took up arms to defend their reproductive rights, the GOP would ban assault rifles yesterday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-marmel/if-women-took-up-arms-to-defend-their-reproductive-rights-the-gop/) Steve Marmel > [As Americans, we have a long history with firearms. We also have a government built on compromise, so here is the compromise I propose:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-symmonds/as-americans-we-have-a-long-history-with-firearms-we-also-have-a/) [Nick Symmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-symmonds/) > [Putting a bomb in a dumpster or putting it with a timer by a race, it is not the kind of - similar to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/putting-a-bomb-in-a-dumpster-or-putting-it-with-a-timer-by-a-race-it/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [Ceres wanted a united front in the plant war." "The plant war," Percy said. "You're going to arm all the little grapes with tiny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/ceres-wanted-a-united-front-in-the-plant-war-the-plant-war-percy-said/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“... the people I work for invented the darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurel-dewey/the-people-i-work-for-invented-the-darkness/) [Laurel Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurel-dewey/) ## More by Mikhail Kalashnikov > [For years, I had a top secret clearance and never left Russia. Just once did I go to Bulgaria with my wife for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/for-years-i-had-a-top-secret-clearance-and-never-left-russia-just/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [I'm proud of my invention, but I'm sad that it is used by terrorists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/i-m-proud-of-my-invention-but-i-m-sad-that-it-is-used-by-terrorists/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [I was trying to perform as best as possible. I was a boy at the time, but worked well with the sickle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/i-was-trying-to-perform-as-best-as-possible-i-was-a-boy-at-the-time/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [I am still ready to shake hands with anyone who designs a better assault rifle than mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/i-am-still-ready-to-shake-hands-with-anyone-who-designs-a-better/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [When a young man, I read somewhere the following: God the Almighty said, 'All that is too complex is unnecessary, and it is simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/when-a-young-man-i-read-somewhere-the-following-god-the-almighty-said/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [Any designer believes his gun is the best, and when its test performance is a bit less impressive compared to others, he feels bitterness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/any-designer-believes-his-gun-is-the-best-and-when-its-test/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [I have continued to work at different things, and rebuilt my home all by myself. I did it for the sake of satisfaction at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/i-have-continued-to-work-at-different-things-and-rebuilt-my-home-all/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [The negative side is that sometimes it is beyond control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/the-negative-side-is-that-sometimes-it-is-beyond-control/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [Life can make you do many things, even kiss a man with a runny nose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/life-can-make-you-do-many-things-even-kiss-a-man-with-a-runny-nose/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [My spiritual pain is unbearable. I keep having the same unsolved question: if my rifle claimed people's lives, then can it be that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/my-spiritual-pain-is-unbearable-i-keep-having-the-same-unsolved/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [Things that are complex are not useful, Things that are useful are simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/things-that-are-complex-are-not-useful-things-that-are-useful-are/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [Then it was like a genie out of the bottle and it began to walk all on its own and in directions I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/then-it-was-like-a-genie-out-of-the-bottle-and-it-began-to-walk-all/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [I do not consider the AK to be the best-ever assault rifle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/i-do-not-consider-the-ak-to-be-the-best-ever-assault-rifle/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [I wanted to invent an engine that could run for ever. I could have developed a new train, had I stayed in the railway.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/i-wanted-to-invent-an-engine-that-could-run-for-ever-i-could-have/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [We had grain but no mills, so I designed a special mill of wood so we could make flour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/we-had-grain-but-no-mills-so-i-designed-a-special-mill-of-wood-so-we/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) [Explore all 39 Mikhail Kalashnikov quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) ## More Assault quotes > [In an attempt to hinder, if not altogether halt, the next move of God, Satan has sent forth an army of faultfinding demons against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-frangipane/in-an-attempt-to-hinder-if-not-altogether-halt-the-next-move-of-god/) [Francis Frangipane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-frangipane/) > [There is an all-out assault now on the Christian community in this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/there-is-an-all-out-assault-now-on-the-christian-community-in-this/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I don't know how I can feel safe with Donald Trump, who bragged about sexual assault having the most power of anyone in America,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-pozner/i-don-t-know-how-i-can-feel-safe-with-donald-trump-who-bragged-about/) [Jennifer Pozner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-pozner/) > [At Ohio State University, to avoid being guilty of 'sexual assault' or 'sexual violence,' you and your partner now apparently have to agree on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/at-ohio-state-university-to-avoid-being-guilty-of-sexual-assault-or/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Their problem is not me and the Democrats; their problem is themselves. Who are they? Are they these extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/their-problem-is-not-me-and-the-democrats-their-problem-is-themselves/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [I wrapped a movie called 'Zombieland,' in which I was constantly under assault by zombies, then flew to New York, still very much in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/i-wrapped-a-movie-called-zombieland-in-which-i-was-constantly-under/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [When a child hits a child, we call it aggression. When a child hits an adult, we call it hostility. When an adult hits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-a-child-hits-a-child-we-call-it-aggression-when-a-child-hits-an/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm the same guy at that podium preaching to the people on every single song. I'm not doing a dance for you on another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-durst/i-m-the-same-guy-at-that-podium-preaching-to-the-people-on-every/) [Fred Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-durst/) > [That tertiary education is under a sustained assault by a political and - it often seems - social consensus that equates all education with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-self/that-tertiary-education-is-under-a-sustained-assault-by-a-political/) [Will Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-self/) > [The biggest threat to any politician is an artist. Comedians unleashed can do a great deal of damage. David Letterman can do more damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moriarty/the-biggest-threat-to-any-politician-is-an-artist-comedians-unleashed/) [Michael Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moriarty/) > [George W. 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