Debt as Offensive Weapon

“François Pinault has indeed already been able to inspire confidence in Roger Puéchaldou, from Crédit Lyonnais in Rennes. And, already, he works with the money he borrows. His debt unsettles the augurs of good homes in the area who, reproducing their profits identically, do not think about modernising, neither by the benefits they garner, nor, especially, by attracting other capitals.”

“Calculation for the long term, well beyond investing in reputation, and less for the public than for those who whisper from ear to ear what a balance sheet means. The rare sense of the price of discipline, sometimes in comparison to debts that are terrifying. All of this coupled with the need to think big. Very big. Excessively big.”

“I have never been afraid of debt, because debt is what gives you leverage, and I also knew our projects were excellent ones.”

“"I'd rather be alive at eighteen percent than dead at six percent."”