Quotes from Michael Bloomberg

Our goal here in New York is to ensure that every child who graduates high school is ready to start a career or start college and to dramatically increase the number of students that graduate from college.

Being an entrepreneur isn't really about starting a business. It's a way of looking at the world: seeing opportunity where others see obstacles, taking risks when others take refuge.

There is no business in America that would be prevented from taking results into account when making personnel decisions.

This society cannot go forward, the way we have been going forward, where the gap between the rich and the poor keeps growing. It's not politically viable; it's not morally right; it's just not going to happen.

And if I were the president, I'd go out there and I'd emphasize the things I have done, and I'd say, 'Some things haven't worked, and I'm sorry about that, but I keep trying.' And I'm - and I think the president is a very viable candidate, and you're going to have a real horse race here no matter who the Republican nominee is.

We would betray our values and play into our enemies' hands if we were to treat Muslims differently than anyone else. In fact, to cave to popular sentiment would be to hand a victory to the terrorists, and we should not stand for that.

What chance does a five-foot-seven billionaire Jew who's divorced really have of becoming president?

I think both of them [Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders] have [chances] because they are not the establishment, not for who they are.

Don't be afraid to assert yourself, have confidence in your abilities and don't let the bastards get you down.

We should remember it wasn't so long ago that confidence in New York was in short supply.

You must first be willing to fail — and you must have the courage to go for it anyway.

Government is dysfunctional.

I do think there are certain times we should infringe on your freedom.

Taxes are not good things, but if you want services, somebody's got to pay for them so they're a necessary evil.

Working collectively and collaboratively is the difference between mediocrity by yourself...or success as a team. You have to share the pain... and the responsibility... and if you do then you will also share in the rewards.

Ive always wondered if people who block each other from expressing their opinions do so because they have so little confidence in their own. To me, encountering an opposing point of view is a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the issues at stake... and develop my own point of view. But the first thing youve got to do is youve got to let people speak and youve got to listen. And thats what the first amendment is all about. Thats what really distinguishes this country from others.

Too often, failing government agencies get bigger budgets, while successful agencies have their budgets cut because government caters to those screaming the loudest, regardless of what theyre screaming about. In business, its exactly the opposite! You invest more in the most successful departments, and less in those that arent performing.

If they don't act, we will. Shame on them but we cannot sit around and watch our environment deteriorate and put this world in jeopardy. We are willing to stand up, we think it is one of the seminal issues of our time.

Our reputation has been hurt very badly in the last few years. We've had a go-it-alone mentality in a world where because of communications and transportation, you should be going exactly in the other direction.

My father, a bookkeeper who never earned more than $11,000 a year in his life, sat there, writing out a $25 check to the NAACP. When I asked him why, he said discrimination against anyone is discrimination against us all. And I never forgot that. Indeed, his philanthropy was a gift, not just to that organization, but to me.

Others may doubt us. They may criticize us. They may try to deny us what is rightfully ours. But they will fail. And I promise you, as long as I am mayor, I will never back away from fighting any opponent -- or confronting any obstacle -- that would prevent our people from achieving all of their dreams in Our New York.

What youve got to do is be honest. Say what you believe. Give it to them straight. Just dont wuss out.

In New York City, a lot of people think 'the great outdoors' is the area between your front door and a taxi cab.

We all must recognize that homeland security funds should be allocated by threat and no other reason.