Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish American industrialist who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century. He is often identified as one of the richest people, as well as one of the richest Americans ever.
Carnegie built a leadership role as a philanthropist for the United States and the British Empire. Before he passed away, he gave almost $350 million to charities, foundations, and universities. In today’s economy, that money would have been worth around $78 billion.
Here’s our collection of empowering Andrew Carnegie quotes:
47 Empowering Andrew Carnegie Quotes
1. “A sunny disposition is worth more than fortune. Young people should know that it can be cultivated; that the mind, like the body can be moved for the shade into sunshine.” – Andrew Carnegie
2. “And the law of competition may be sometimes hard for the individual but it’s best for the race because it ensures the survival of the fittest in every department.” – Andrew Carnegie
3. “Every act you have ever performed since the day you were born was because you wanted something. Aim for the highest and when it’s a question of God’s almighty spirit. Never say I can’t.” – Andrew Carnegie
4. “I did not understand steam machinery but I tried to understand much more complicated mechanism; – man.” – Andrew Carnegie
5. “It is the mind that makes the body rich.” – Andrew Carnegie
6. “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it.” – Andrew Carnegie
7. “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” – Andrew Carnegie
8. “The men who have succeeded are men who have chosen one line and stuck to it.” – Andrew Carnegie
9. “There is no class as pitiably wretched as that which possesses money and nothing else.” – Andrew Carnegie
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10. “You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he is willing to climb a little.” – Andrew Carnegie
11. “Aim for the highest.” – Andrew Carnegie
12. “As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.” – Andrew Carnegie
13. “He that cannot reason is a fool. He that will not is a bigot. he that dare not is a slave.” – Andrew Carnegie
14. “I resolved to stop accumulating and begin the infinitely more serious and difficult task of wise distribution.” – Andrew Carnegie
15. “Mr. Morgan buys his partners, I grow my own.” – Andrew Carnegie
16. “No person will make a great business; who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit.” – Andrew Carnegie
17. “The average person puts only 25% of his energy and ability into his work. The world will take off its hat to those who put in more than 50% of their capacity and the world will stand on its head for those few and far between souls who devote 100%” – Andrew Carnegie
18. “The secret of happiness is renunciation.” – Andrew Carnegie
19. “Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparalleled success. A whole, clear, glorious life lies before you. Achieve! Achieve!” – Andrew Carnegie
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“You must capture and keep the heart of the original and supremely able man before his brain can do its best.” – Andrew Carnegie
21. “All achievements, all earned riches have their beginning in an idea.” – Andrew Carnegie
22. “Concentrate your energy, your thoughts and your capital.” – Andrew Carnegie
23. “I began to learn what poverty meant. It was burnt in my heart then that my father had to beg for work and there came the resolve that I would cure that when I got to be a man.” – Andrew Carnegie
24. “I shall argue that strong men conversely know when to compromise and that all principles can be compromised to serve a greater purpose.” – Andrew Carnegie
25. “My motto is concentration. First honesty; then industry and then concentration.” – Andrew Carnegie
26. “People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents.” – Andrew Carnegie
27. “The first man gets the oyster, the second gets the shell.” – Andrew Carnegie
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28. “The secret of success lies not in doing your own work but in recognizing the best person to do it.” – Andrew Carnegie
29. “Watch the costs and the profits will take care of themselves.” – Andrew Carnegie
30. “All honor’s wounds are self-inflicted.” – Andrew Carnegie
31. “Do your duty and a little more and the future will take care of itself.” – Andrew Carnegie
32. “I believe that the true road to per-eminent success in any line is to make yourself master of that line.” – Andrew Carnegie
33. “I would as soon leave my son a curse as the almighty dollar.” – Andrew Carnegie
34. “No amount of ability is of the slightest avail without honor.” – Andrew Carnegie
35. “Success can be attained in any branch of labor. There’s always room at the top in every pursuit.” – Andrew Carnegie
36. “The man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he justly entitled.” – Andrew Carnegie
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“The wise man put all his eggs in one basket and watches the basket.” – Andrew Carnegie
38. “Whatever I engage in, I push inordinately.” – Andrew Carnegie
39. “And here is the prime condition of success, the great secret. Concentrate your energy, thoughts and capital exclusively upon the business in which you are engaged in. Having begun in one line, resolve to fight it out on that line; to lead in it. Adopt every improvement, have the best machinery and know the most about it.” – Andrew Carnegie
40. “Don’t look for approval except for the consciousness of doing your best.” – Andrew Carnegie
41. “I can’t afford to pay them any other way.” – Andrew Carnegie
42. “Immense power is acquired by assuring yourself in your secret reveries that you were born to control affairs.” – Andrew Carnegie
43. “No man becomes rich without himself enriching others.” – Andrew Carnegie
44. “Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of his community.” – Andrew Carnegie
45. “The man who dies rich dies in disgrace.” – Andrew Carnegie
46. “There is little success, where there is little laughter.” – Andrew Carnegie
47. “When I did big things, some large corporations like the Pennsylvania Railroad Company were behind me and responsible party.” – Andrew Carnegie
Which are your favorite Andrew Carnegie quotes? Leave a comment below.
