20 Best Andrew Carnegie Quotes to Inspire You

Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) was one of the most famous and wealthiest industrialists of his time. He was also one of the highest profile philanthropists of his era. By the time of his death, he had given away to charities and foundations about $350 million (roughly $6.5 billion in 2023). Here is a collection of the 20 best Andrew Carnegie quotes.

Andrew Carnegie Quotes

1. Investing

“The way to become rich is to put all your eggs in one basket and then watch that basket.” – Andrew Carnegie

2. Success

“The secret of success is not doing your own work, but in recognizing the right man to do it.” – Andrew Carnegie

3. Attention

“As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.” – Andrew Carnegie

4. Motivation

“People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents.” – Andrew Carnegie

5. Concentration

“Concentrate your energies, your thoughts, and your capital. The wise man puts all his eggs in one basket and watches the basket.” – Andrew Carnegie

6. Opportunity

“The first one gets the oyster; the second one gets the shell.” – Andrew Carnegie

7. Leadership

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

8. Vision

“Aim for the highest.” – Andrew Carnegie

9. Preparation

“You can’t push anyone up the ladder unless he is ready to climb himself.” – Andrew Carnegie

10. Power

“Immense power is acquired by assuring yourself in your secret reveries that you were born to control affairs.” – Andrew Carnegie

11. Success

“I believe that the true road to preeminent success in any line is to make yourself master of that line.” – Andrew Carnegie

12. Money

“There is no class so pitiably wretched as that which possesses money and nothing else.” – Andrew Carnegie

13. Work

“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

14. Concentration

“Concentration is my motto – first honesty, then industry, then concentration.” – Andrew Carnegie

15. Future

“Do your duty and a little more and the future will take care of itself.” – Andrew Carnegie

16. Rich

“No man can become rich without himself enriching others.” – Andrew Carnegie

17. Mind

“It is the mind that makes the body rich.” – Andrew Carnegie

18. Wealth

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

19. Mind

“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

20. Excellence

“Do not look for approval except for the consciousness of doing your best.” – Andrew Carnegie

SEE ALSO: 50 Unforgettable Quotes by Jim Rohn

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