Andrew Carnegie

앤드루 카네기

Founders and company builders1835-1919

Steel industrialist and philanthropist; author of The Gospel of Wealth

1,019 records in all

Principles 330
Episodes 309
Quotes 380

Ask with this master's words

3 free questions a day, no sign-up.

Photo: Theodore C. Marceau Public domain Original cropped

Quotes

57 basic records of 380

Quotes are word for word from the source.

Source of progress
it is neither to the rich nor to the noble that human society has to look for its preservation and improvement
Our noteCarnegie argues that real leaders come from those who must work to live.
Source Andrew Carnegie James Watt, 1905 (opens in a new tab)
Value of Manual Skill
most of the mechanical inventions have come from those who have been cunning of hand and have worked as manual laborers
Our noteCarnegie argues that practical experience is the primary source of significant mechanical innovation.
Source Andrew Carnegie James Watt (opens in a new tab)
The supreme test
The supreme test, which proves the man, can come in all its winnowing force only to those born to earn their own support by training themselves to be able to render to society services which command return.
Our noteCarnegie discusses how self-reliance and the need to earn a living develop a person's character and powers.
Source Andrew Carnegie James Watt (opens in a new tab)
Resilience of ability
Good work always tells. Ability cannot be kept down forever; if crushed to earth, it rises again.
Our noteReflecting on how James Watt's skill eventually overcame the barriers set by trade guilds.
Source Andrew Carnegie James Watt, 1905 (opens in a new tab)
Removing learning barriers
Watt promptly began to acquire these languages, that he might know all that was to be known.
Our noteWatt learned French and Italian just to read untranslated scientific papers on steam.
Source Andrew Carnegie James Watt, 1761 (opens in a new tab)
Risk of over-concentration
It is a damned thing for a man to have his all hanging by a single string.
Our noteWatt expressing his extreme anxiety when his entire future depended on one engine trial.
Source Andrew Carnegie James Watt, 1769 (opens in a new tab)
Complementary partnerships
Partnership requires not duplicates, but opposites--a union of different qualities.
Our noteCarnegie explains why Boulton and Watt were such an effective team.
Source Andrew Carnegie James Watt (opens in a new tab)
Valuing Key Talent
He could well afford to offer salary beyond the dreams of the worker, to a rider who knew his horse and to whom the horse took so kindly.
Our noteCarnegie explains why owners were willing to pay high salaries to engineers who mastered specific machines.
Source Andrew Carnegie James Watt (opens in a new tab)
Pushing technical limits
I believe it is a thing never done before, to make a hammer of that weight make 300 blows per minute; and, in fact, it is more a matter to brag of than for any other use
Our noteWatt discussing the unprecedented speed of his steam-powered tilt hammer.
Source Andrew Carnegie James Watt, 1783 (opens in a new tab)
Success in Life
Watt gracefully glided into old age. This is the great test of success in life. To every stage a laurel, but to happy old age the crown.
Our noteCarnegie reflects on how James Watt managed his later years after retiring from business.
Source Andrew Carnegie James Watt (opens in a new tab)
Importance of science
the very existence of Britain, as a nation, seems to me, in great measure, to depend upon her exertions in science and in the arts.
Our noteWatt explains why he founded a prize for students of natural philosophy and chemistry.
Source Andrew Carnegie James Watt, 1808 (opens in a new tab)
Cost reduction revolution
The Servia will carry thirty-five tons across the ocean for what one ton cost in the Persia. A revolution indeed! and one which brings the products of American soil close to the British shores.
Our noteHe explains how massive cost reductions in shipping opened up international markets.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain, 1881 (opens in a new tab)
Marketing vs reality
It is so natural to imagine that exquisite wood-cuts and pretty illustrations set forth grander things than exist. The houses were much inferior to our preconceived ideas
Our noteCarnegie observes how marketing materials can create unrealistic expectations for a product.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain (opens in a new tab)
Value of Attention
I mean you could if there was any time to waste doing either, and you were not afraid of missing some beautiful picture which would dwell in your memory for years
Our noteCarnegie explains why he prefers observing his surroundings over being distracted by tasks during travel.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain (opens in a new tab)
Complementary activities
The pleasures of walking set against those of coaching might well furnish matter for an evening's debate. Combined, as they were with us, the result was perfection, for they are indeed upon such a tour the complement of each other.
Our noteCarnegie reflects on how mixing walking with coaching made their travel experience perfect.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain (opens in a new tab)
Analyzing Previous Failures
It was possible, they thought, that his failure might have resulted from the fiend not being _kept_ out when he _was_ out.
Our noteThe inventors analyzed why previous experiments by experts had failed to produce pure steel.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain (opens in a new tab)
Impact of Innovation
These young men have done more for England's greatness than all her kings and queens and aristocracy put together.
Our noteCarnegie reflects on the immense value that industrial innovators bring to a nation compared to traditional rulers.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain (opens in a new tab)
Education drives progress
They will not rest content crowding each other down thus to a pittance when they can read and write and vote. Thank fortune for this.
Our noteCarnegie discusses how education and political rights empower workers to demand better conditions and wages.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain (opens in a new tab)
Power of storytelling
A thousand memories cluster round this ruin; but what should we have known of it had not the great magician touched with his wand this dead mass of stone and lime and conferred immortality upon the actors
Our noteCarnegie reflects on how Sir Walter Scott's writing brought the ruins of Kenilworth Castle to life.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain (opens in a new tab)
Ignoring local wisdom
whenever foreigners attempt to do anything in America through an organization, their first thought is how to do it in a manner as far as possible from that of the Americans.
Our noteCarnegie criticizes English settlers who failed in America by ignoring how locals operated.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain, 1881 (opens in a new tab)
Simplicity in Duty
The inscription on Lawrence's is: "Here lies Henry Lawrence, who tried to do his duty." What could you add that would not weaken that?
Our noteCarnegie admires the simple and powerful epitaph of a hero he saw in India.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain, 1881 (opens in a new tab)
Building relationships
The two peoples have only to become acquainted to become enthusiastic over each other's rare qualities.
Our noteHe discusses the potential for friendship between Americans and Britons once they meet in person.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain, 1883 (opens in a new tab)
Financial reserves
To make it perfect one should put away enough in the funds as a reserve to be drawn upon when he could not make the pittance necessary to feed and clothe him
Our noteCarnegie discusses the ideal conditions for a nomadic, free-spirited life.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain, 1881 (opens in a new tab)
Resilience in change
It was fortunate that our sad farewells were so promptly followed by smiling welcomes.
Our noteCarnegie notes how new arrivals on the trip helped the group recover from departures.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain (opens in a new tab)
Importance of partners
If a workingman in Scotland does not get a clever managing wife (they are helpmeets there), he never amounts to much, and many a stupid man pulls up well through the efforts of his wife.
Our noteCarnegie discusses how a capable partner is essential for success in difficult economic conditions.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain, 1881 (opens in a new tab)
Market Driven Success
Britain may soon receive from her giant child all that is best in any department of art which depends upon general support for success.
Our noteCarnegie predicts that the larger American market will eventually dominate cultural production.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain (opens in a new tab)
Thinking soldiers
It is in a war of defence, when one's own country is to be fought for, that bayonets which can think are wanted.
Our noteCarnegie reflects on the superiority of volunteer forces who fight for a cause they believe in.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain (opens in a new tab)
Limits of patience
We cannot stand nonsense forever, patient as we are and slow.
Our noteCarnegie comments on the inevitable social change regarding hereditary titles and land ownership.
Source Andrew Carnegie An American Four-in-Hand in Britain (opens in a new tab)
Questioning inherited privilege
I wondered that intelligent men could live where another human being was born to a privilege which was not also their birthright.
Our noteCarnegie expresses his early radical views against social classes and inherited status.
Source Andrew Carnegie Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie (opens in a new tab)
Unity in diversity
He had discovered that theologies were many, but religion was one.
Our noteHe describes his father's realization after leaving a dogmatic church to find a broader faith.
Source Andrew Carnegie Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie (opens in a new tab)

You are seeing 153 basic records. Membership answers from all 1,019 of this master's records.

See membership

More masters in this field

See the whole field

Founders and company builders

These records are our compilation of public statements and sources. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Andrew Carnegie or any related company. If something should come down, tell us. Takedown request form