Cornelius Vanderbilt

Railroad magnate

Modern influential 134 sayings

Sayings by Cornelius Vanderbilt

I have been as good a friend to you as you have been to me. I don't care a snap for your laws. I have got the power, and I'll use it.

1860s — Reported remark to a government official during a dispute
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have been as good a friend to you as you have been to me. I don't care a snap for your laws. I have got the power, and I'll use it.

1860s — Reported remark to a government official during a dispute
Strange & Unusual Disputed

Never tell me to my face that you are a friend of mine, for I will not believe you. I have no friends.

unknown — Attributed, cited in 'The First Tycoon'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Never tell me to my face that you are a friend of mine, for I will not believe you. I have no friends.

unknown — Attributed, cited in 'The First Tycoon'
Strange & Unusual Disputed

I don't care a copper who makes the laws or how they are made. I've got the power, and I'll use it.

1860s — Attributed, similar to previous, showing his disregard for external authority
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don't care a copper who makes the laws or how they are made. I've got the power, and I'll use it.

1860s — Attributed, similar to previous, showing his disregard for external authority
Strange & Unusual Disputed

You have undertaken to ruin me. I will not sue you, for the law is too slow. I will ruin you.

1868 — Letter to former business partners, Daniel Drew, Jim Fisk, and Jay Gould
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I have been driven to the wall by these men, and I mean to have my revenge.

1868 — Said during the Erie War, referring to his opponents
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have been driven to the wall by these men, and I mean to have my revenge.

1868 — Said during the Erie War, referring to his opponents
Strange & Unusual Disputed

If I had learned to read and write, I would have been a great man.

unknown — Attributed, often cited to highlight his humble beginnings and self-made success
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If I had learned to read and write, I would have been a great man.

unknown — Attributed, often cited to highlight his humble beginnings and self-made success
Strange & Unusual Disputed

The public be damned! I am working for my stockholders.

1882 (often cited as Vanderbilt, though sometimes attributed to William Henry Vanderbilt) — Reply to a reporter's question about public interest, though exact wording and context debated.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I don't propose to be a damned fool.

unknown — Attributed, often cited to show his strong will and pragmatism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don't propose to be a damned fool.

unknown — Attributed, often cited to show his strong will and pragmatism
Strange & Unusual Disputed

I ain't going to let no man lick me.

unknown — Attributed, reflecting his competitive nature
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I ain't going to let no man lick me.

unknown — Attributed, reflecting his competitive nature
Strange & Unusual Disputed

I have been in business for fifty years, and I have never seen a man who could not be bought.

unknown — Attributed, showing his cynical view of human nature and corruption
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have been in business for fifty years, and I have never seen a man who could not be bought.

unknown — Attributed, showing his cynical view of human nature and corruption
Strange & Unusual Disputed

I'm not afraid of the law. I'm not afraid of the public. I'm not afraid of anything. I'm just afraid of being poor.

unknown — Attributed, reflecting his drive and fear of poverty
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I'm not a man of words, but of deeds.

unknown — Attributed, often cited to emphasize his practical, results-oriented approach
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable