Narayana Murthy is the founder of Infosys and one of India’s most respected business leaders. He believes in honesty, hard work, teamwork, and doing what is right.
Narayana Murthy‘s words inspire us to lead with purpose, stay humble, and build a better future with strong values.
Here are 61 of Narayana Murthy’s best quotes to guide your journey in life, work, and leadership.
“Progress is often equal to the difference between mind and mindset. You can be as bright as anyone in the world, but if you don’t believe in yourself, if you don’t believe that you can do great things, you never will.”
N.R. Narayana Murthy, IIT Delhi Convocation, 2003
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Narayana Murthy on Success and Hard Work
“Progress is often equal to the difference between mind and mindset.”
(IIT Delhi Convocation Address, 2003)
“Love your job, but never fall in love with your company.”
(Commonly quoted in interviews and talks by Narayana Murthy)
“Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck.”
(Quoted in business magazines and attributed to Murthy’s speeches)
“When you live in an environment that is comfortable, you tend to take things for granted.”
(From interviews and talks on entrepreneurship and frugality)
“You become a star not because you want to be one, but because you have something special to offer.”
(Public speeches and Infosys internal talks)
“Performance leads to recognition. Recognition leads to respect. Respect leads to power.”
(Quoted in Infosys Foundation addresses and multiple biographies)
“A clear conscience is the softest pillow in the world.”
(Business Today, 2008 Interview)
“Hard work is the only path to success.”
(Repeated in several speeches including IIM and B-schools)
“You need a sense of ownership and responsibility to win.”
(From Infosys internal communications and leadership addresses)
“Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start now with what you have.”
(General business advice from interviews)
Narayana Murthy Quotes on Leadership and Values
“A strong company is built on strong values.”
— The Infosys Story and Beyond
“Leadership is about doing the right thing, even if it’s hard.”
— IIM Ahmedabad Convocation Speech, 2009
“Good leadership is about creating more leaders.”
— From the book A Better India: A Better World
“Values are more important than money.”
— IIT Bombay Convocation, 2003
“A good leader listens more than they speak.”
— CNBC Interview on Leadership
“Ethics must drive business decisions.”
— World Economic Forum, Davos, 2006
“Lead with your actions, not just your words.”
— Infosys Leadership Talk, 2007
“Don’t chase power—earn respect.”
— Forbes India Interview, 2010
“Real leadership begins with humility.”
— Padma Vibhushan Acceptance Speech, 2008
“Always stand by what is right, even if you stand alone.”
— From the book Narayana Murthy: A Biography
Narayana Murthy on Innovation and Learning
“Don’t just follow trends—understand the reason behind them.”
— ET Leadership Interview, 2012
“The best way to solve problems is to keep learning.”
— A Better India: A Better World
“Innovation happens when people feel safe to fail.”
— NASSCOM Leadership Summit, 2012
“A nation’s progress depends on creativity and curiosity.”
— India Today Conclave, 2008
“You can’t build tomorrow using yesterday’s ideas.”
— Mint Leadership Series Interview, 2009
“Learning never stops, no matter how old or successful you are.”
— Interview with Business Standard, 2011
“Dream big, but learn every day.”
— Indian School of Business (ISB) Address, 2014
“Knowledge is your biggest strength.”
— Infosys Foundation Talk, 2010
“When you stop learning, you stop growing.”
— A Better India: A Better World
“Education is the best investment for a better world.”
— IIT Kanpur Convocation Speech, 2010
Narayana Murthy on Teamwork and People
“Every person in a team matters.”
— Infosys Campus Talk, 2011
“No one succeeds alone. Teamwork is everything.”
— Infosys Knowledge Summit, 2006
“Surround yourself with people smarter than you.”
— Harvard Business School Talk, 2008
“Respect your colleagues—everyone has something to teach you.”
— The Economic Times Interview, 2010
“Trust and transparency build great teams.”
— A Better India: A Better World
“Celebrate others’ success as much as your own.”
— Infosys Leadership Session, 2007
“Great ideas come from honest conversations.”
— ISB Hyderabad Address, 2014
“It’s not about who’s right, but what’s right.”
— CNBC India Leadership Feature, 2012
“A leader must give credit and take blame.”
— IIT Madras Lecture, 2005
“True teamwork starts with trust.”
— Infosys Townhall Meeting, 2009
Narayana Murthy on Life and Purpose
“At the end of the day, character is what matters most.”
— Infosys Leadership Forum, 2013
“We must serve a purpose greater than ourselves.”
— A Better India: A Better World
“Humility is more powerful than pride.”
— Padma Vibhushan Interview, The Hindu, 2008
“Money is just a by-product of good work.”
— CNBC Leadership Interview, 2007
“Simple living and high thinking never go out of style.”
— India Inc. Values Report, 2006
“Happiness comes from doing meaningful work.”
— Infosys Prize Ceremony Speech, 2014
“Stay true to yourself, even when it’s hard.”
— NDTV Business Leader Interview, 2010
“Life is not only about winning—it’s about being fair.”
— IIM Ahmedabad Convocation, 2009
“The real measure of success is how many lives you’ve touched.”
— A Better India: A Better World
“Live with honesty. Act with purpose.”
— Infosys Interns Q&A, 2012
More Quotes by Narayana Murthy
“Respect time—it’s the most valuable resource.”
— Infosys Campus Talk, 2009
“Entrepreneurship is all about deferred gratification.”
— Stanford University Talk, 2010
“When in doubt, disclose. When not in doubt, still disclose.”
— A Better India: A Better World
“Compromise on your principles, and you compromise on your future.”
— Infosys Corporate Governance Speech, 2006
“You do not need to be the best, but you must do your best.”
— IIT Bombay Convocation Speech, 2003
“Honesty and integrity are not optional—they are essential.”
— World Economic Forum, Davos, 2006
“Progress is not automatic. It must be earned through effort.”
— IIM Bangalore Lecture, 2011
“If you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to walk far, walk together.”
— Infosys Townhall, 2005 (One of his most quoted lines)
“Leadership is about creating a vision and inspiring people to follow it.”
— Business Standard Interview, 2008
“A clear conscience is a great source of strength.”
— Business Today Interview, 2007
