Salary, (I said, quite offended) what do I care for salary? I do not want the salary; I want the position.
Meaning
Carnegie recalls turning down a raise in his autobiography because he valued the role and its opportunities more than the pay. When weighing job offers, ask which one teaches you the most and builds future options, not only which pays most this year.
Source: Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie (1920), Ch. VII
About the author
(1835–1919) was a Scottish-American industrialist who led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century. One of the wealthiest individuals of his time, Carnegie later became a leading philanthropist, donating a significant portion of his fortune to education, libraries, and cultural institutions. He believed strongly in the ‘Gospel of Wealth,’ which argued that the rich have a responsibility to use their wealth for the greater good. His contributions led to the establishment of thousands of public libraries worldwide. Carnegie’s legacy reflects both industrial innovation and a lasting commitment to social progress and education.
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