Andy Carnegie and Bill Gates

There is an interesting difference between the two.  Gates is a recent convert to philanthropy.  Carnegie, however, began at an early age.  He decided that he would make a fortune and use it to contribute to a better world.

Carnegie came from a family of radical Chartists. Philanthropy was his way of being radical. So, he felt justified in screwing anybody — even sanctioning the bloody battle of Homestead to promote his philanthropy.

209: “… there are higher uses for surplus wealth than adding petty sums to the earnings of the masses. Trifling sums given to each every week or month — and the sums would be trifling indeed — would be frittered away, nine times out of 10, in things which pertain to the body and not to the spirit; upon richer food and drink, better clothing, more extravagant living, which are beneficial neither too rich or poor.”

Carnegie, Andrew. 1895. “The Best Use of Wealth.” in Miscellaneous Writings of Andrew Carnegie, 2 vols. Burton J. Hendrick, ed. (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, Doran & Company, 1933): pp. 203-18.

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