--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When a young man, I read somewhere the…" description: "\"When a young man, I read somewhere the following: God the Almighty said, 'All that is too complex is unnecessary, and it is simple that is needed' ... ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/mikhail-kalashnikov-16335_ak-47_when-a-young-man-i-read-somewhere-the-fo_246635.jpg" --- # When a young man, I read somewhere the following: God the… ![“When a young man, I read somewhere the following: God the Almighty said, 'All that is too complex is unnecessary, and it is simple that is needed' ... So this has been my lifetime motto – I have been creating weapons to defend the borders of my fatherland, to be simple and reliable.” quote by Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/mikhail-kalashnikov-16335_ak-47_when-a-young-man-i-read-somewhere-the-fo_246635.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/mikhail-kalashnikov-16335_ak-47_when-a-young-man-i-read-somewhere-the-fo_246635.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/mikhail-kalashnikov-16335_ak-47_when-a-young-man-i-read-somewhere-the-fo_246635.jpg) > “When a young man, I read somewhere the following: God the Almighty said, 'All that is too complex is unnecessary, and it is simple that is needed' ... So this has been my lifetime motto – I have been creating weapons to defend the borders of my fatherland, to be simple and reliable.” [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. Complexity is unnecessary; simplicity is essential for reliable tools and life. **In simple terms:** Simplicity over complexity. Key Takeaway Prioritize simple, dependable designs. Themes design reliability military philosophy Mood reflective determined Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - weapon design - border defense - personal motto - product development Key Concepts engineering minimalism functionality Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance simplicity with necessary complexity? - When is complexity justified? A Different Perspective Simplicity may limit innovation in some contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Almighty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/almighty/) [Borders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/borders/) [Complexes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complexes/) [Creating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creating/) [Fatherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fatherland/) [Following god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/following-god/) [Lifetime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifetime/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Motto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motto/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) ## Related quotes > [ “But when I make a good \[taxidermy\] mount I feel like I beat God in a small way. As though the Almighty said, Let… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-buehlman/but-when-i-make-a-good-taxidermy-mount-i-feel-like-i-beat-god-in-a/) [Christopher Buehlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-buehlman/) > [In the early days of the world, the Almighty said to the first of our race "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-the-early-days-of-the-world-the-almighty-said-to-the-first-of-our/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/i-created-a-weapon-to-defend-the-borders-of-my-motherland-it-s-not-my/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [I would prefer to have invented a machine that people could use and that would help farmers with their work - for example a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/i-would-prefer-to-have-invented-a-machine-that-people-could-use-and/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [I sleep well. It's the politicians who are to blame for failing to come to an agreement and resorting to violence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/i-sleep-well-it-s-the-politicians-who-are-to-blame-for-failing-to/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [The fact that people die because of an AK-47 is not because of the designer, but because of politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/the-fact-that-people-die-because-of-an-ak-47-is-not-because-of-the/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [The AK-47 is not a device of aggression ... I devised this machine-gun for the security of my country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/the-ak-47-is-not-a-device-of-aggression-i-devised-this-machine-gun/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/when-i-see-bin-laden-with-his-ak-47-i-got-nervous-but-what-can-i-do/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [It is painful for me to see when criminal elements of all kinds fire from my weapon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/it-is-painful-for-me-to-see-when-criminal-elements-of-all-kinds-fire/) [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/) > [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/) > [I had no answer to those questions, only hope. With absolutely no one to turn to, no Mikey, no Axe, no Danny, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-no-answer-to-those-questions-only-hope-with-absolutely-no-one/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Break my heart? Is that what you just said? I have news for you; you didn't break my heart. My heart's fine. My heart's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffanie-debartolo/break-my-heart-is-that-what-you-just-said-i-have-news-for-you-you/) [Tiffanie DeBartolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffanie-debartolo/) > [The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides By the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-tarantino/the-path-of-the-righteous-man-is-beset-on-all-sides-by-the-inequities/) [Quentin Tarantino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-tarantino/) > [PowerPoint doesn't kill meetings. People kill meetings. But using PowerPoint is like having a loaded AK-47 on the table: You can do very bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-norvig/powerpoint-doesn-t-kill-meetings-people-kill-meetings-but-using/) [Peter Norvig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-norvig/) ## 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/) > [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/) > [It is painful for me to see when criminal elements of all kinds fire from my weapon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/it-is-painful-for-me-to-see-when-criminal-elements-of-all-kinds-fire/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) [Explore all 39 Mikhail Kalashnikov quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) ## More Ak 47 quotes > [PowerPoint doesn't kill meetings. People kill meetings. But using PowerPoint is like having a loaded AK-47 on the table: You can do very bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-norvig/powerpoint-doesn-t-kill-meetings-people-kill-meetings-but-using/) [Peter Norvig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-norvig/) > [The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides By the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-tarantino/the-path-of-the-righteous-man-is-beset-on-all-sides-by-the-inequities/) [Quentin Tarantino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-tarantino/) > [Break my heart? Is that what you just said? I have news for you; you didn't break my heart. My heart's fine. My heart's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffanie-debartolo/break-my-heart-is-that-what-you-just-said-i-have-news-for-you-you/) [Tiffanie DeBartolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffanie-debartolo/) > [I had no answer to those questions, only hope. With absolutely no one to turn to, no Mikey, no Axe, no Danny, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-no-answer-to-those-questions-only-hope-with-absolutely-no-one/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [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/) > [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/) > [For the Second Amendment to do its job, the other side must become much better informed. I watched an action-adventure program last night that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/for-the-second-amendment-to-do-its-job-the-other-side-must-become/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [It is painful for me to see when criminal elements of all kinds fire from my weapon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/it-is-painful-for-me-to-see-when-criminal-elements-of-all-kinds-fire/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [The biggest weapon of mass destruction in history is the AK-47, not Iranian nuclear weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-lawson/the-biggest-weapon-of-mass-destruction-in-history-is-the-ak-47-not/) [Guy Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-lawson/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/when-i-see-bin-laden-with-his-ak-47-i-got-nervous-but-what-can-i-do/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [My belief is that PowerPoint doesn't kill meetings. People kill meetings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-norvig/my-belief-is-that-powerpoint-doesn-t-kill-meetings-people-kill/) [Peter Norvig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-norvig/) > [The AK-47 is not a device of aggression ... I devised this machine-gun for the security of my country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/the-ak-47-is-not-a-device-of-aggression-i-devised-this-machine-gun/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [President Bush said he didn't want to renew the Assault Weapons Ban because it might 'infringe on hunters' rights'. Who needs an AK-47 machine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/president-bush-said-he-didn-t-want-to-renew-the-assault-weapons-ban/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [The fact that people die because of an AK-47 is not because of the designer, but because of politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/the-fact-that-people-die-because-of-an-ak-47-is-not-because-of-the/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [No, we're not looking at how to control criminals... we're talking about banning the AK-47 and semi-automatic guns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-metzenbaum/no-we-re-not-looking-at-how-to-control-criminals-we-re-talking-about/) [Howard Metzenbaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-metzenbaum/) Browse all 29 Ak 47 quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When a young man, I read somewhere the following: God the Almighty said, 'All that is too complex is unnecessary, and it is simple that is needed' ... 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