Cornelius Vanderbilt II

Businessman & Heir American 1843 – 1899

Expanded Vanderbilt fortune through railroad and business expansion.

377 quotes

"A man's integrity is his most precious possession – guard it as you would guard your life."
"I have always believed that fortune is the reward for those who work tirelessly without expectation of recognition."
Work
"The strength of a nation rests upon the strength of its railroads and highways."
"I do not fear competition – I welcome it as an opportunity to prove my superiority."
"The key to managing complex enterprises is to delegate authority while maintaining clear vision."
Leadership
"I believe that education is the greatest investment a man can make in himself or his children."
Education
"The man who is satisfied with today will have nothing left for tomorrow."
"To create lasting wealth, one must create lasting value – this much is certain."
"I have learned that the most dangerous competitors are those who are willing to work for less than fair compensation."
Wisdom
"The path to success is littered with the failures of those who gave up just before they would have succeeded."
Perseverance
"I believe that a man's true measure is not what he takes from the world, but what he leaves behind."
"The accumulation of wealth without the accumulation of wisdom is a recipe for disaster."
Wisdom
"I have found that the greatest opportunities often appear to be the greatest risks."
"To lead effectively, a man must understand both the power of incentive and the power of fear."
Leadership
"The secret to success is to understand what your customer truly needs, not what he thinks he wants."
"I believe in the power of systems – a well-designed system can accomplish what no individual ever could."
"The measure of a man's success is how much of his own time he has freed from necessity."
Freedom