Carl Icahn is a famous American financier and chairman of Icahn Enterprises.
Initially a stockbroker he started his own firm in 1968 using borrowed money.
Known for risk arbitrage Icahn made millions through corporate takeovers notably in the 1980s as a feared corporate raider with investments in various companies.
He significantly profited from his involvement with TWA despite criticism for its eventual bankruptcy.
Later he transitioned to an activist investor leading companies like CVR Energy and investing in entertainment firms like Netflix.
Icahn briefly served as an adviser to President Trump but resigned amid conflict of interest concerns in 2017.
I have made a list of the famous quotes by Carl Icahn.
Best Carl Icahn Quotes
1. “Some people get rich studying artificial intelligence. Me, I make money studying natural stupidity.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
2. “I enjoy the hunt much more than the ‘good life’ after the victory.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
3. “Don’t confuse luck with skill when judging others, and especially when judging yourself.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
4. “In life and business, there are two cardinal sins. The first is to act precipitously without thought and the second is to not act at all.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
5. “I’m no robin hood, I enjoy making the money.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
6. “When most investors, including the pros, all agree on something, they’re usually wrong.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
7. “A lot of people died fighting tyranny. The least I can do is vote against it.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
Popular Carl Icahn Quotes
8. “When friends and acquaintances are telling you that you are a genius, before you accept their opinion, take a moment to remember what you always thought of their opinions in the past.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
9. “CEOs are paid for doing a terrible job. If the system wasn’t so messed up, guys like me wouldn’t make this kind of money.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
10. “Don’t go in and tell somebody else how to run their business.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
11. “Everything I have is for sale, except for my kids and possibly my wife.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
12. “Too often it’s not the most creative guys or the smartest. Instead, it’s the ones who are best at playing politics and soft-soaping their bosses. Boards don’t like tough, abrasive guys.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
Top Carl Icahn Quotes
13. “I like winning. There’s also a certain joy in it. I feel fulfilled by it.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
14. “I have to look out for the shareholder’s interests, and I’m the largest shareholder.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
15. “We want these assets to be productive. We buy them. We own them. To say we care only about the short term is wrong. What I care about is seeing these assets in the best hands.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
16. “Anyone that makes me a quarter of a billion dollars, I like.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
17. “My wife watches me like a hawk.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
18. “A great company in the media business needs visionary leaders, not a conglomerate structure headquartered in Columbus Circle that second guesses.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
19. “I believe there are and will be major opportunities to enhance Time Warner’s value in future combinations.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
Famous Carl Icahn Quotes
20. “We have bloated bureaucracies in Corporate America. The root of the problem is the absence of real corporate democracy.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
21. “Had a nice conversation with Tim Cook today. Discussed my opinion that a larger buyback should be done now. We plan to speak again shortly.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
22. “And I’m convinced, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you can work with the unions because the unions want to survive. If they are confronted simply with the question: “Do you want this company to survive or do you want it to be broken up?” they will listen. It’s their livelihood.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
23. “We’re not about liquidating companies, but if you do that, why is that terrible? We’re not blowing up the factories. The person who buys it should be able to make the asset more productive.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
Short Carl Icahn Quotes
24. “I’m a cynic about corporate democracy and boards.” ~ (Carl Icahn).
25. “Yellen’s comments suggest, and I agree, that we are in an asset bubble.” ~ (Carl Icahn).