Golf taught Haw Par Corporation's AK Han about life: Be honest even when no one's watching

Ratan Tata turns 80 on Thursday. From starting his career on the shop floor of Tata Steel in the 1960s, and handling the blast furnace, to heading the Tata Group as Chairman, it has been a long and eventful journey for him. Being a part of a large conglomerate like the Tatas and leading it came with its own set of challenges. And, naturally, Tata has gone through plenty of ups and downs - failed ventures, disputes, losses - in his professional life. But, like a true fighter, he has always managed to overcome all odds.

As the business icon turns a year older, here's looking back at some of his oft-used quotes that have been his life mantra.

"Life is unfair and it’s nowhere written to be fair. But it’s not only you or me, it’s for everyone. My talent differs from yours and yours from another person’s, but we have equal chances to succeed in our respective fields. When there’s a will, there’s a way."

"We always complain some external factors for our failure and misery. But the reality is none of them affect your dreams unless you give them the power to do so. Be focused on what you want to do and go ahead, success won’t be far from you."

"A life without excitement, ups and downs is too much boring and dull. You need to be a storyteller to your grandchildren, why don’t prepare for that from now? We get this life only once, experience every aspect of it. No one ever have grown without falling once, fail as many times as you can, then only you can succeed. So quit complaining and start exploring."

“Take the stones people throw at you, and use them to build a monument.”

“I admire people who are very successful. But if that success has been achieved through too much ruthlessness, then I may admire that person, but I can’t respect him.”

“No one can destroy iron, but its own rust can! Likewise, no ne can destroy a person, but its own mindset can!”

“The day I am not able to fly will be a sad day for me.”

"The people you meet in this life, all won’t be good to you. Some will criticize, some will de-motivate and some will try to pull you down. All you have to do is ignore them and move on. You don’t need to explain them your journey nor let them control your dreams. This is your life, live as you want."