“Thrift is the base element from which improvement arises. Individuals save through spending less than they earn.

Capital, Labor, Business Ability are a three legged stool; three in unison are necessary and neither are of greater importance than the other. For when one lacks the stool falls over and is only upright when its leg repaired.

Poverty is often the sternest but most efficient of all schools

The prize takers have too many years the start of the graduate; they have entered the race invariably in their teens – the most valuable of all the years for learning from 14-20 – while the college student had been learning a bit about petty squabbles of distant past or languages which are not suitable for business. The future captain of industry is hotly engaged in the school of experience, obtaining the very knowledge required for his future triumphs. However educated men have one important advantage – they are open minded without prejudice. The scientific attitude of mind, that of the searcher after truth, renders them receptive of new ideas. The working mechanic [blue collar] will always be disposed to adopt narrow views of affairs, for he is generally well up in years before coming into power. The scientifically trained boy goes for the latest invention or newest method, no matter if another has discovered it. Neither capital, nor influence, nor college learning, nor all combined have proved able to contend in business successfully against the energy and indomitable will which spring from all conquering poverty. Liberal education gives a man higher tastes and aims than the acquisition of wealth, and a world to enjoy, that the mere millionaire cannot enter.

Speculation…unfits himself for the calm consideration and proper solution of business problems with which he has to deal with later in the day, and saps the sources of persistent and concentrated energy upon which depend the permanent success of his main business.

The speculator and the business man tread diverging lines. The former depends upon the sudden turn of fortune’s wheel…But the man of business knows that only by years of patient, unremitting attention to affairs can he earn his reward, which is the result not of chance, but of well devised means for the attainment of ends.

You must attract attention; do so by showing that while your employer’s mind is engaged in other matters, you have been studying during hours when he thoughts perhaps you asleep, how to advance his interests. Not one who is content to give so many hours of work for so many dollars in return, but one who devotes his spare hours and constant thoughts to the business.

Obey orders if you break owners; this is only for those with no aspirations. Break orders when you are sure the interests of your employer will be promoted and when you are so sure of the result that you are willing to take the responsibility. When called to account for your independent action, show him the result of your genius and how you knew it would be so. There is nothing he will like so well if he is the right kind of boss.; if he is not, he is not the man for you to remain with – leave him whenever you can, even at a present sacrifice and find one capable of discerning genius.

I want people to be undoubted in their confidence of my credit in prudence and principles and stability of character.“

– Andrew Carnegie