The Gilded Age Quotes

The Gilded Age Quotes

They Said It

"We are born in a Pullman house. We are fed from a Pullman shop, taught in a Pullman school, catechized in the Pullman church and when we die we shall be buried in a Pullman cemetery and go to a Pullman hell."

- Pullman employee on life in Pullman town, 188352

"This, then, is held to be the duty of the man of wealth: first, to set an example of modest, unostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance; to provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those dependent upon him; and after doing so to consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as trust funds which he is called upon to administer, and strictly bound as a matter of duty to administer in the manner which, in his judgment, is best calculated to produce the most beneficial results for the community—the man of wealth thus becoming the mere agent and trustee for his poorer brethren, bringing to their service his superior wisdom, experience, and ability to administer, doing for them better than they would or could do for themselves."


- Andrew Carnegie, 189953

"I should welcome almost any war, for I think this country needs one."


- Theodore Roosevelt, 189754

"Today, production is left to anarchy, and only tyranny, the twin sister of anarchy, is organized."


- Socialist Leader Daniel De Leon on the need for government management of the economy, 189655