When asked about his many failures, he is said to have replied, "I have not failed.
Mar la weydiiyay inuu hirgelin karo dhaliilo badan oo maaliyadeed oo uu u soo jeedin jiray xukuumadii Rayaale, waxaanu yidhi "Anigu waxaan ka hadli jirin dakhli aan miisaaniyada geli jirin oo la leexsado iyo dakhligii miisaaniyada oo aan sidii la rabay u soo xaroon jirin.