Andrew Carnegie (1835 -1919) is perhaps the best known philanthropist and I came across some superb wisdom from the great man.These quotes need no explanation – I love their simplicity.
As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.
Do not look for approval except for the consciousness of doing your best.
I shall argue that strong men, conversely, know when to compromise and that all principles can be compromised to serve a greater principle.
There is little success where there is little laughter.
There is no class so pitiably wretched as that which possesses money and nothing else.
You cannot push anyone up the ladder unless he is willing to climb.
Every act you have ever performed since the day you were born was performed because you wanted something.
2 comments:
Andrew Carnegie is considered by many here in the US as one of the original "robber barons" of our industrial revolution. President Truman mainatained that the Carnegie libraries were "steeped in the blood of the Homestead Steel workers."
Thanks for that insight Mike – interesting how history records people isn’t it.
For instance will Nelson Mandela be recorded as a terrorist or as the greatest leader of all time in Africa? (Greatest leader in my opinion)
Will Winston Churchill always be remembered as a war leader or as a depressed person who liked a drink? (War leader in my opinion)
Will George Best be recorded as the greatest footballer who ever lived or as a drunk who wasted his talent? (Greatest ever footballer in my opinion)
Will George Bush be considered err… err… actually I can’t think of anything he will be remembered for
I guess my point is this is all about perception.
I bow to your greater knowledge of US history of course Mike but Carnegie does seem to have given away much of his wealth.
Did he obtain that wealth in unethical ways??? … Mmmmm … how does that compare with today’s US business (and UK business) making OBSCENE profits, whilst 20,000 people – mainly children - die EVERY DAY due to poverty on our one planet?
If - as we are encouraged to believe - business has a conscience in 2007 why don’t modern business leaders give their money away to Africa – even if it were just their profits?
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