Andrew Carnegie

Quotes are word for word from the source.

• Attracting attention

  “I do not know a situation in which a boy is more apt to attract attention, which is all a really clever boy requires in order to rise.”

  Our noteCarnegie reflects on how his early job as a messenger boy allowed him to be noticed by influential men.

• Seizing Opportunity

  “I was not going to miss the chance of becoming financially connected with my leader and great man.”

  Our noteCarnegie decides to find a way to invest alongside his mentor, Mr. Scott.

• Power of writing

  “The pen was getting to be a weapon with me.”

  Our noteCarnegie realizes that his anonymous newspaper articles are gaining him influence and high-level connections.

• Continuous Learning Rule

  “I made it a rule when I heard these to learn something about them at once. I was pleased every day to feel that I was learning something new.”

  Our noteCarnegie describes his habit of self-improvement when meeting cultured and wealthy neighbors.

• Systematic Accounting

  “One of the chief sources of success in manufacturing is the introduction and strict maintenance of a perfect system of accounting so that responsibility for money or materials can be brought home to every man.”

  Our noteCarnegie explains why tracking every cost and material is vital for manufacturing success.

• Continuous learning

  “It was excellent training, for one had to read and study for each appearance.”

  Our noteCarnegie reflects on the value of participating in public debates and clubs in New York.

• Misplaced talent

  “More than one able man I have known has persisted in blundering in an office when he had great talent for the mill”

  Our noteCarnegie observes how people often fail by working in roles that do not match their strengths.

• Data Driven Decisions

  “We trod upon sure ground with the chemist as our guide. It will be seen that we were determined to get raw materials and were active in the pursuit.”

  Our noteEmphasizing the use of scientific analysis before investing in mineral properties.

• Lack of appreciation

  “There is lack of due appreciation and of kind treatment of employees upon the part of the employers.”

  Our noteCarnegie identifies the root cause of many labor disputes as emotional rather than financial.

• Nature of heroism

  “True heroes think not of reward. They are inspired and think only of their fellows endangered; never of themselves.”

  Our noteCarnegie describes the selfless mindset of those who risk their lives for others.

• Value of giving

  “Not for a crown would I barter that privilege.”

  Our noteCarnegie expresses the immense personal value he finds in giving a park to his hometown.

• Manage costs first

  “Watch the costs and the profits take care of themselves.”

  Our noteCarnegie shared a fundamental rule for ensuring business profitability.

• Realizing early dreams

  “There is a sense of supreme satisfaction in carrying out these early dreams which I think nothing else can give, it is such a triumph to realize one's castles in the air.”

  Our noteCarnegie reflects on the joy of fulfilling his youthful aspiration to travel around the world.

• Cultural environment

  “Shakespeare is the environment of all English-speaking men.”

  Our noteAcknowledging how foundational works shape the thinking and language of an entire culture.

• Efficiency in scarcity

  “We begin to understand how the thirty odd millions of the Japanese exist upon so small an area.”

  Our noteHe noted how the Japanese utilized every inch of land through terracing and irrigation.

• Building mutual understanding

  “I replied that this was happily true, and ventured to express the belief that as we knew each other better we should also like each other more”

  Our noteCarnegie was responding to a Mandarin's comment about the telegraph bringing nations closer together.

• Total resource utilization

  “There is nothing which is not put to use in China.”

  Our noteCarnegie observes the extreme efficiency and lack of waste in Chinese society and space.

• Timeless efficiency

  “The every-day dress of the Chinaman is to-day just what it was thousands of years ago.”

  Our noteCarnegie admires the practical and unchanging nature of Chinese clothing compared to Western fashion.

• Specialized aptitudes

  “Generations pursuing the same calling, and only marrying within themselves, acquire a peculiar appearance, and this effectually creates a caste.”

  Our noteCarnegie reflects on how hereditary occupations lead to specialized skills and social structures.

• Overcoming early conditioning

  “how few among ourselves succeed in rising beyond what we happen to have been taught in our childhood!”

  Our noteHe reflects on how difficult it is for people to break free from inherited superstitions.

• Genius and Criticism

  “All great geniuses have encountered the critics of their day. How Shakespeare violated the unities! and didn't Napoleon win battles which he should have lost?”

  Our noteCarnegie reflects on how original genius often defies established rules and critical standards.

• Rewarding the competent

  “The plan is bound, however, to develop and sustain the most competent, and this means that it is the right plan.”

  Our noteCarnegie discusses how a land lease system naturally selects for the most capable cultivators.

• Resilience of good

  “As great movements, whether for good or evil, require many supporters, society has its safe-guard; nothing really good can be destroyed by conspirators.”

  Our noteDiscussing why evil conspiracies are inherently unstable compared to movements for good.

• Bias of proximity

  “The reason why the Englishman in India is likely to be entirely wrong in his views of Indian government is because he sits on the safety valve of the terrible boiler.”

  Our noteCarnegie explains why those directly involved in a situation often lack the perspective to manage it wisely.

• Strict adherence to rules

  “For our part we resolved never to give anything to a beggar, and adhered strictly to the rule, which preserved us from many a fierce attack”

  Our noteCarnegie explains how setting and sticking to a firm rule prevented further harassment.

• The Trap of Comparison

  “the "rascally comparative" intrudes to chill it with its cold breath.”

  Our noteCarnegie explains how comparing recent history to ancient Egypt diminishes one's enthusiasm.

• Patience in Talent

  “We shall hear of Mr. Harnisch by-and-by; he is young, and can wait.”

  Our noteCarnegie predicts future success for a young artist who focuses on quality over quick fame.