Bill Gates is full of pithy quotes about business, technology and ambition. As one of the richest men in the world, he knows a thing or two about money. Here are 10 famous Bill Gates quotes interpreted as financial advice.

“It’s fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”

Some dieters celebrate weight loss with a giant slice of cake. Some savers celebrate getting out of debt by purchasing a new car. It’s important to learn from your failures to avoid making the same mistakes twice, and use success as a motivator to seek further success.

“We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next 10.”

It might be hard to imagine that your 401(k) contributions will ever amount to much, but if you keep saving, you might be surprised at the impact 10 years (or more) can have on investments.

“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.”

You may not want to hear that you’re living beyond your means, relying too much on debt or making other financial mistakes, but it’s better to listen to well-meaning advice than to continue bad financial habits.

“The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency.”

If you want to automate your finances, make sure you’re not unknowingly overpaying or keeping a defunct gym membership alive. Automation only helps if your bills were in order to begin with.

“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”

People who buy high and sell low are notoriously those who think they can’t lose. When the market is up, realize it’s only a matter of time before it goes down again.

“There is nothing that was overnight.”

Forget all the get-rich-quick schemes and phony investing advice you hear and focus on hard work and long-haul investing instead.

“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.”

Educate yourself on financial basics and you’ll be better off than someone with top-of-the-line technology. No technology can replace a qualified financial advisor.

“In this business, by the time you realize you’re in trouble, it’s too late to save yourself. Unless you’re running scared all the time, you’re gone.”

The market moves fast and it’s nearly impossible to time it. Choosing an asset allocation appropriate for your risk tolerance is a better way to approach investing.

“The general idea of the rich helping the poor, I think, is important.”

Philanthropy is an important part of every financial plan, and you don’t have to be rich to support a cause you believe in.

“If I’d had some set idea of a finish line, don’t you think I would have crossed it years ago?”

Never put a limit on your financial success. If you’ve reached your monthly savings goal with money left over, save more.