Andrew Carnegie Quotes

This, then, is held to be the duty of the man of wealth: To set an example of modest, unostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance; to provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those dependent on 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 judgement, 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

A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.

~ Andrew Carnegie

If the newspapers begin to publish stories about wars, and the people begin to think and talk of war in their daily conversations, they soon find themselves at war. People get that which their minds dwell upon, and this applies to a group or community or a nation of people, the same as to an individual

~ Andrew Carnegie

When fate hands us a lemon, let's try to make lemonade.

~ Andrew Carnegie

All honor's wounds are self-inflicted.

~ Andrew Carnegie

Not only had I got rid of the theology and the supernatural, but I had found the truth of evolution.

~ Andrew Carnegie

There is little success where there is little laughter.

~ Andrew Carnegie

The wise man puts all his eggs in one basket and watches the basket.

~ Andrew Carnegie

Immense power is acquired by assuring yourself in your secret reveries that you were born to control affairs.

~ Andrew Carnegie

No person will make a great business who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit.

~ Andrew Carnegie

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

You cannot push any one up a ladder unless he be willing to climb a little himself.

~ Andrew Carnegie

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

As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.

~ Andrew Carnegie

Do not look for approval except for the consciousness of doing your best.

~ Andrew Carnegie

Immense power is acquired by assuring yourself in your secret reveries that you were born to control affairs.

~ Andrew Carnegie

No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it.

~ Andrew Carnegie

The first man gets the oyster, the second man gets the shell.

~ Andrew Carnegie

The way to become rich is to put all your eggs in one basket and then watch that basket.

~ Andrew Carnegie

Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community.

~ Andrew Carnegie

There is no class so pitiably wretched as that which possesses money and nothing else.

~ Andrew Carnegie

Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparalleled success. A whole, clear, glorious life lies before you. Achieve! Achieve!

~ Andrew Carnegie

I shall argue that strong men, conversely, know when to compromise and that all principles can be compromised to serve a greater principle.

~ Andrew Carnegie

The 'morality of compromise' sounds contradictory. Compromise is usually a sign of weakness, or an admission of defeat. Strong men don't compromise, it is said, and principles should never be compromised.

~ Andrew Carnegie

Do your duty and a little more and the future will take care of itself.

~ Andrew Carnegie