Why should I know Cornelius Vanderbilt?

“1) All you have to do is attend to your own business, then go ahead.
2) I never tell what I’m going to do till I’ve done it.”

“Gentlemen: You have undertaken to cheat me. I will not sue you because the law takes too long. I will ruin you.”

“Got to spend some money, if you want to make anything. Can’t run a ferry that won’t run.”

“I don't care half so much about making money as I do about making my point, and coming out ahead.”

“I have always served the public to the best of my ability. Why? Because, like every other man, it is to my interest to do so.”

“If a fellow’s got guts he can always win.”

“If I had learned education I would not have had time to learn anything else.”

“If you don’t have competition, you don’t have competitors to skin.”

“Never be a minion, always be an owner.”

“Pay ready money for everything you buy, and never sell anything you don’t own.”

“There is no friendship in trade.”

“Tricks ain’t good business.”