Quotes from Mikhail Prokhorov

The government in Russia does not tell me what to do with my assets.

Money is not the thing that drives me. I like to develop assets to create value. No one cares how rich you are or what your ranking is in Forbes magazine.

I never count my money. I think that's your job.

I learned from both my parents that you had to be clever.

There is only one way to go: up. I like to find cheap assets with problems. It gives me power.

Even before my parents died, I felt all the responsibility to my family. I don't know why. In any business, any relationship, if something goes wrong, I feel I am to blame. It's something inside me.

No one doing big business can avoid some contact with government agencies, regulators, and policy makers.

Sometimes, if I need assistance on the government level, I can appeal through official channels. For example, when I bought the New Jersey Nets, President Medvedev raised the issue with President Obama, who voiced support for the idea, which is always a nice thing to have going for us.

I've never lost my cool. Even in love affairs. If you have Plan B and Plan C, you are all the time relaxed.

Some people say the reason I am not married is that I don't understand small business and the toughest small business in the world is a family. But when you are happy and feel every minute of your life, what is the reason to get married?

I have no plans to have any other home than Moscow. However, I love to travel, and I'm very comfortable in New York. In many ways, it reminds me of Moscow in its energy and drive.

My love affairs are just between my office and gym.

I don't understand small businesses, only big ones. Marriage is the hardest small business.

Nobody was interested in me before I bought the Nets.

I think women make the same mistake with me all the time. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

I have three joys in my life: work, sport and food. All these come in one and do not make a hobby.

For some sport is a hobby but for me it is a way to survive. It makes me calm, balanced and well-rested. Not tired but vice versa. I think sport balances off my work load.

I work 12 to 14 hours a day, and in the spare time I do sport.

I am addicted to sport. Without sport, I feel bad.

I don't use a computer. We have too much information and it's really impossible to filter it.

I have no plans to have any other home than Moscow. However, I love to travel, and I'm very comfortable in New York. In many ways, it reminds me of Moscow in its energy and drive.