My supply of Scotch caution never has been small; but I was apparently something of a daredevil now and then to the manufacturing fathers of Pittsburgh. They were old and I was young, which made all the difference.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Youth
Nothing tells in the long run like a good judgment, and no sound judgment can remain with the man whose mind is disturbed by the mercurial changes of the stock exchange. It places him under an influence akin to intoxication. What is not, he sees, and what he sees, is not.
—Andrew Carnegie
There is no use whatever trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he be willing to climb himself.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Self-improvement, Helping, Progress
The average person puts only 25% of his energy and ability into his work. The world takes off its hat to those who put in more than 50% of their capacity, and stands on its head for those few and far between souls who devote 100%.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Energy, Action, Work
Concentration is my motto—first honesty, then industry, then concentration.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Study, Work, Concentration
I have had a long, long life full of troubles, but there is one curious fact about them—nine-tenths of them never happened.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Trouble
Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparalleled success. A whole, clear, glorious life lies before you. Achieve! Achieve!
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Achievement, Achievements, Vision, Life, Business, Achieve, Success
This, then, is held to be the duty of the man of wealth: First, to set an example of modest, unostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance; to provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those dependent upon him; and, after doing so, to consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as trust funds, which he is called upon to administer, and strictly bound as a matter of duty to administer in the manner which, in his judgment, is best calculated to produce the most beneficial results for the community—the man of wealth thus becoming the mere trustee and agent for his poorer brethren, bringing to their service his superior wisdom, experience and ability to administer, doing for them better than they would or could do for themselves.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Riches, Wealth
The man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entitled.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Confidence, Self Confidence, Mind, The Mind
I can’t afford to pay them any other way.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Money
The problem of our age is the proper administration of wealth, so that the ties of brotherhood may still bind together the rich and poor in harmonious relationship.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Wealth
The surest foundation of a manufacturing concern is quality. After that, and a long way after, comes cost.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Quality
The man who enters a library is in the best society this world affords; the good and the great welcome him, surround him, and humbly ask to be allowed to become his servants.
—Andrew Carnegie
You can’t push anyone up the ladder unless he is ready to climb himself.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Preparation, Planning
If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Thoughts, Happy, Energy
No man becomes rich unless he enriches others.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Become, Rich
We accept and welcome… as conditions to which we must accommodate ourselves, great inequality of environment; the concentration of business, industrial and commercial, in the hands of a few; and the law of competition between these, as being not only beneficial, but essential for the future progress of the race.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Equality
Upon the sacredness of property civilization itself depends – the right of the laborer to his hundred dollars in the savings bank, and equally the legal right of the millionaire to his millions.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Property
The paper which obtains a reputation for publishing authentic news and only that which is fit to print, … will steadily increase its influence.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Journalism
Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Wealth
I believe that the true road to preeminent success in any line is to make yourself master of that line.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Success, Strength
Do your duty and a little more and the future will take care of itself.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Future
Look out for the boy who has to plunge into work direct from the common school and who begins by sweeping out the office. He is probably the dark horse you had better watch.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Education
The first man gets the oyster, the second man gets the shell.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Life, Winners, Winning
I would as soon leave my son a curse as the almighty dollar.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Inheritance
There is no way of making a business successful that can vie with the policy of promoting those who render exceptional service.
—Andrew Carnegie
The secret of happiness is renunciation.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Happiness
No man is a true gentleman who does not inspire the affection and devotion of his servants.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Manners
And while the law of ‘competition’ may be sometimes hard for the individual, it is best for the race, because it ensures the survival of the fittest in every department.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Survival, Capitalism
Immense power is acquired by assuring yourself in your secret reveries that you were born to control affairs.
—Andrew Carnegie
Topics: Optimism, Positive Attitudes, Confidence, Power, Assurance
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Sheryl Sandberg American Executive, Author
- Henry M. Flagler American Financier
- Alexander Hamilton American Statesman
- George Westinghouse American Engineer
- Jane Addams American Social Reformer
- Maria Mitchell American Astronomer
- Victor Hugo French Novelist
- Philip H. Knight American Businessman
- J. P. Morgan American Financier, Philanthropist
- John D. Rockefeller American Industrialist, Philanthropist
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