Lapo Elkann Quotes

Powerful Lapo Elkann for Daily Growth

About Lapo Elkann

Lapo Elkann is an Italian entrepreneur, journalist, and writer, known for his flamboyant lifestyle, creative endeavors, and personal connections to the highest echelons of Italian society. Born in 1978 into the powerful Agnelli family, he is the grandson of Gianni Agnelli, the former chairman of Fiat, and great-grandson of the founder of the automotive giant. Elkann's upbringing was steeped in luxury and privilege, but his tumultuous personal life has often been a subject of media attention. In 2013, he publicly acknowledged his battle with addiction and subsequently sought treatment. This experience has inspired him to become an advocate for mental health issues and drug rehabilitation. His writing career began in the late 2000s, with his first novel, "Il Cielo è sempre più blu" (The Sky is Always Bluer), published in 2011. The book, which explores themes of family, addiction, and self-discovery, was a bestseller in Italy and has been translated into multiple languages. Elkann's second novel, "L'arte di non morire" (The Art of Not Dying), published in 2013, further solidified his reputation as a writer. The book delves into his personal struggles with addiction, offering a candid and introspective look at his recovery process. Today, Elkann continues to write, work in the family business, and advocate for mental health awareness. His life story and literary works serve as a testament to resilience, personal growth, and the transformative power of overcoming adversity.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is like a car: if you don't change the oil, you'll break down."

This quote by Lapo Elkann implies that just as a car needs regular maintenance to run smoothly and avoid breakdowns, one should also maintain their well-being to lead a successful and fulfilling life. In other words, self-care, personal growth, and the pursuit of knowledge are essential for a productive and healthy life, much like changing oil is crucial for a car's engine to function optimally. Neglecting one's own needs or development can lead to stagnation, burnout, or even failure, just as a car without regular maintenance may break down.


"I never thought I would be as happy in life as I am now."

This quote suggests that despite previous expectations or assumptions, Lapo Elkann is experiencing a high level of happiness in his current life. It underscores the idea that sometimes, life may surprise us with unexpected joy and contentment. This statement can serve as inspiration for others to appreciate their own journeys and find joy in the present moments.


"Money can buy a lot of things. But it can't buy happiness. Happiness comes from within."

This quote emphasizes that material wealth, represented by money in this context, does not equate to personal happiness. Money may provide comforts, opportunities, or conveniences, but true happiness is a subjective emotional state derived from internal factors such as one's outlook, relationships, and personal fulfillment. The message encourages individuals to focus on cultivating their inner well-being rather than relying solely on financial prosperity for overall contentment.


"Be yourself, because everyone else is already taken."

This quote by Lapo Elkann emphasizes the importance of individuality and uniqueness. It encourages each person to embrace their authentic self rather than trying to emulate others, as everyone has distinct qualities that make them special in their own way. The essence of this quote lies in the idea that being true to oneself is crucial for personal growth, happiness, and a fulfilling life, because there's only one 'you' in this world, and it's essential to make the most out of your unique journey.


"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."

This quote by Lapo Elkann suggests that true success, which could be defined as achieving one's goals or living a fulfilling life, doesn't necessarily lead to happiness. Instead, finding happiness in what one does is the foundation for success. In essence, if you genuinely love and enjoy your work or pursuits, you are more likely to achieve lasting success, as happiness fuels motivation and perseverance. This idea underscores the importance of passion, purpose, and personal satisfaction in our pursuit of success.


I need to make things mine. It annoys me to buy something that is imposed on me. When I have a suit made, I go to the Sicilian tailor Alessandro Martorana in Turin. I like shorter jacket sleeves and often fold the cuffs up. It's more modern that way.

- Lapo Elkann

Buy, Tailor, Imposed, Jacket

I'm a freestyle creative entrepreneur. Not a businessman. I like to create ventures in which creativity stands at the centre.

- Lapo Elkann

Like, Which, Freestyle, Centre

The value of 'Made in Italy' must necessarily be up-to-date. This is the philosophy that Italia Independent has embraced. We decided from the outset to do away with stereotypes and attune ourselves to the extreme pace, to the incessant metamorphoses of the globalized world.

- Lapo Elkann

Stereotypes, Away, Outset, Up-To-Date

Tiles, the best furniture, fabrics, bath fixtures, bronze - just leaf through any design magazine and you immediately understand they're all 'Made in Italy.' We have the premier opera house in the world, La Scala, and behind the Nobel given to CERN is the research of many Italians.

- Lapo Elkann

Behind, Opera, Through, Nobel

I am an obsessive personality. And if you are an obsessive personality, you need to be aware of it and be able to drive it with success. There are moments in your life when you are driving it well, but you shift and you shift badly and you hurt yourself.

- Lapo Elkann

Need, Shift, Badly, Hurt

I've missed a lot of trains in my life, and another one always comes.

- Lapo Elkann

My Life, Always, Lot, Trains

The Cinquecento was an engine of motivation at Fiat. It refurbished the image of the entire company. It's a symbol for the company, but it's more than that. It's a global Italian symbol, as Mini is a global British symbol and the Beetle is a global German symbol.

- Lapo Elkann

Image, Symbol, German, Engine

In America, if you succeed, you don't have to apologize. In Italy, success is envied, and envy is the worst, worst, worst thing in the world. It's easy for me to say because I have had more than many others, but at the end of the day, I have never envied anyone. I wish to no one that they waste their time envying anyone else.

- Lapo Elkann

Envy, End Of The Day, Had, Apologize

I love Winston Churchill. I love the wisdom he had, the sagacity. I like people who are independent-minded. People who aren't part of clans or systems, who are talented and free, and able to do things without being corrupted by the system.

- Lapo Elkann

Love, Part, Had, Winston

I love Winston Churchill; I think he had the grace of coming and the grace of leaving - when things were hard he was there, and when it was time to leave, he left.

- Lapo Elkann

Love, Think, I Think, Winston

Even when it comes to zippers and buttons, Italy reigns supreme. The luxury market is ours, as demonstrated by the voracity with which various foreign conglomerates are buying up the jewels of our manufacturing sector.

- Lapo Elkann

Buttons, Supreme, Which, Manufacturing

I don't have an MBA, and I didn't go to Yale. I'm not an academic person and wasn't a good student. Instead, I've been taught by some of the most inspiring people in the world.

- Lapo Elkann

Student, Some, Been, Yale

I am lucky because I can - and I like to - mix the beautiful Caraceni jackets I inherited from my grandfather with a pair of Tsubi jeans or wear a favorite pin-striped suit from him for more formal occasions. I'm crazy about pinstripes and vintage fifties fabrics.

- Lapo Elkann

Lucky, Wear, About, Mix

I've lived in London, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, New York, and Turin. But New York is my favorite city. It has so much energy, so much toughness.

- Lapo Elkann

City, London, New, Rio

I'm inspired every day by the great captains of industry and enlightened entrepreneurs like my great-great-grandfather and founder of Fiat, Giovanni Agnelli, who personally knew all his workers and gave so much to this country, or Adriano Olivetti, unique and innovative in every way.

- Lapo Elkann

Every Day, Country, Industry, Enlightened

I love Italy and I say I am from Italy wherever I go.

- Lapo Elkann

Love, I Am, I Love, Wherever

'Made in Italy' is from the tycoons of the '80s, not me. It is people who represent an Italy which I don't belong to and I don't feel a part of.

- Lapo Elkann

Belong, Made, Which, Represent

A pocket square must always - always - be white and a bit wild. If it is too prepared, it is tacky.

- Lapo Elkann

White, Always, Square, Tacky

Italy's assets are her style, her beauty, her creativity, her passion, her energy, her technology; and these will be core brand values of all our cars. Fiat as a company has a long way to go and a steep road ahead.

- Lapo Elkann

Beauty, Ahead, Steep, Brand

Tailor Made will help Ferrari's clients tailor their cars in a very personal, specific way. It's a bespoke service, like visiting Huntsman or Anderson & Sheppard or whoever your favourite Savile Row tailor is.

- Lapo Elkann

Clients, Very, Visiting, Row

I am Jewish, Italian, American, Catholic.

- Lapo Elkann

I Am, Jewish, Italian, Catholic

I'd say Juventus has a story as legendary as the Yankees.

- Lapo Elkann

Story, Say, Legendary, Yankees

You can learn from everyone, the president or the cleaner. You need teachers in life, but they're not always school teachers or professors. You learn from ordinary people. You learn from travel, from just walking down the street.

- Lapo Elkann

Learn, Always, Everyone, Cleaner

London is the financial capital of Europe, a great platform to America and Asia. I love the fact that in British culture you can be whoever you want, and people don't even look at you. I don't feel that in Paris or Milan.

- Lapo Elkann

Love, London, Capital, Milan

My office in Milan is in an old factory. I have all my companies here, including Italia Independent and Independent Ideas.

- Lapo Elkann

Here, Factory, Including, Milan

My company Independent Ideas worked with Gucci on a special edition Fiat 500.

- Lapo Elkann

Independent, Special, Worked, Edition

If you stop for lunch elsewhere in the world, you tend to eat a sandwich, and a bad one. Italy is unique for the style of life. I think everyone envies it a bit.

- Lapo Elkann

Lunch, Think, I Think, Envies

I love challenges, and I believe that the challenge of quality cinema should not be underestimated as an important part of the Italian cultural offer.

- Lapo Elkann

Love, Challenges, Part, Cinema

Fashion is something which is non-lasting; it's ephemeral.

- Lapo Elkann

Fashion, Something, Which, Ephemeral

I like my country, but I don't think like an Italian. It's a complex, complicated difficult country to make things happen in.

- Lapo Elkann

Think, Country, Happen, Things Happen

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