"A first-generation fortune is the most likely to be given away, but once a fortune is inherited it's less likely that a very high percentage will go back to society."

Truth

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Insight & Reflection

The theme of truth is universal, yet Bill Gates manages to capture its essence in a uniquely profound way. Taking a moment to internalize this can shift our mindset, reminding us that our perspective on truth often shapes our reality.

About Bill Gates

William Henry Gates III is an American businessman and philanthropist. A pioneer of the microcomputer revolution of the 1970s and 1980s, he co-founded the software company Microsoft in 1975 with his childhood friend Paul Allen. Following Microsoft's initial public offering in 1986 and the subsequent increase in its stock price, Gates became the world's then-youngest billionaire in 1987, at age 31. Forbes magazine ranked him as the world's wealthiest person in their The World's Billionaires list for 18 out of 24 years between 1995 and 2017, including 13 years consecutively from 1995 to 2007. Gates became the first centibillionaire in 1999, when his net worth briefly surpassed US$100 billion. According to Forbes, as of July 2026, his net worth stood at US$106.5 billion, making him the 19th-wealthiest individual in the world.

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Editorial Note: This quote is curated and fact-checked by the Quotes Archive Editorial Team. Verified Literature Specialist.

More by Bill Gates

"In inner-city, low-income communities of color, there's such a high correlation in terms of educational quality and success."

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"When purpose is clear, every obstacle transforms into a stepping stone. For where clarity resides, peace inevitably follows — an essential principle for the reflective life."

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"He who inspires courage in a single soul has led a monumental campaign. A lesson woven into the fabric of human history."

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More about Truth

"It is a quiet truth that true authority is measured not by subjugation, but by the empowerment of others — an essential principle for the reflective life."

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"The GAO just released a report that said 22 percent of federal programs fail to meet their objectives. The truth is we don't know how taxpayer money is spent in Washington, D.C., which is why I think we ought to put every agency budget up on the Internet for everyone to see."

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