The best time to expand is when no one else dares to take risks
Interpretation
Seize opportunities during uncertain times when others are hesitant.
This quote by Andrew Carnegie emphasizes the importance of taking bold actions and making investments when the market is uncertain and others are fearful. It suggests that there are often significant opportunities available during challenging times, and those who are willing to take calculated risks can achieve remarkable success while others hold back.
In practice
In a speech about innovation during tough economic times.
Give me the life of the boy whose mother is nurse, seamstress, washerwoman, cook, teacher, angel, and saint, all in one, and whose father is guide, exemplar, and friend. No servants to come between. These are the boys who are born to the best fortune.
To kill a man will be considered as disgusting [in the twentieth century] as we in this day consider it disgusting to eat one.
It is not the rich man's son that the young struggler for advancement has to fear in the race for life, nor his nephew, nor his cousin. Let him look out for the dark horse in the boy who begins by sweeping out the office.
You are what you think. So just think big, believe big, act big, work big, give big, forgive big, laugh big, love big and live big.
Speculation is a parasite feeding upon values, creating none.
Don't be content with doing only your duty. Do more than your duty. It's the horse that finishes a neck ahead that wins the race.
I think that at the start of a game, you're always playing to win, and then maybe if you're ahead late in the game, you start playing not to lose. The true competitors, though, are the ones who always play to win.
When you're good at something, you'll tell everyone. When you're great at something, they'll tell you.
The temple of fame stands upon the grave: the flame that burns upon its altars is kindled from the ashes of great men.
Success happened little by little for me. I tasted the flavor of fame in small doses: I started at 10 years old when I won a music contest; I was performing at birthday parties, company meetings.
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
We see men who have accumulated great fortunes, but we often recognize only their triumph, overlooking the temporary defeats which they had to surmount before arriving.
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