David Rubenstein Quotes

Powerful David Rubenstein for Daily Growth

About David Rubenstein

David M. Rubenstein is an influential American businessman, philanthropist, and thought leader, best known for co-founding The Carlyle Group, one of the world's largest private equity firms. Born on July 10, 1949, in Baltimore, Maryland, Rubenstein developed a passion for public service early in life, influenced by his family's tradition of civic engagement. After graduating magna cum laude from Duke University and receiving a law degree from Yale Law School, Rubenstein began his career as a lawyer at Shaw Pittman Potts & Trowbridge, eventually becoming the firm's youngest partner. In 1987, he co-founded The Carlyle Group with three colleagues, leveraging their backgrounds in government and finance to build a globally recognized investment powerhouse. Rubenstein's philanthropic endeavors are as noteworthy as his business achievements. He is a significant donor to education, arts, and historical preservation causes, serving as the Chairman of the Boards of Trustees at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Council on Foreign Relations. His initiatives include the "In Case You Missed It" (ICYMI) series, a program that makes significant historical documents widely accessible online. Throughout his career, Rubenstein has been recognized for his contributions to business, philanthropy, and public service. In 2018, TIME magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. His notable works include "The American Story: Conversations with Master Historians" and "How to Make It in America," which offer insights into leadership, success, and American history.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The secret of life is to do lots of things."

David Rubenstein's quote, "The secret of life is to do lots of things," emphasizes the importance of experiencing a wide variety of activities throughout one's life. This perspective encourages us to explore different interests, challenge ourselves, and broaden our horizons, thereby enriching our personal growth and overall well-being. By engaging in diverse experiences, we not only expand our skillset and knowledge but also foster a more fulfilled and satisfying existence.


"Don't be afraid to fail. Remember, if you shine and you're afraid of your own shadow, success will pass you by."

This quote by David Rubenstein emphasizes that fear of failure should not hold one back from taking risks and striving for success. The idea is that to truly achieve greatness, one must have the courage to step out of their comfort zone, take risks, and shine brightly. However, if one is so focused on avoiding potential pitfalls (as represented by the 'shadow') that they fail to leverage their talents and potential, success may elude them. The message is that it's important to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and not let fear of making mistakes prevent one from reaching their fullest potential.


"The best way to predict the future is to create it."

This quote implies that instead of trying to guess or forecast what the future will hold, we should actively shape it through our actions, decisions, and innovations. It encourages a proactive approach to life and suggests that the future isn't just something that happens to us; rather, we have the power to make it happen. This quote highlights the importance of taking control and creating opportunities instead of passively waiting for them to arrive.


"Time is the friend of the wonderful company, the enemy of the mediocre."

David Rubenstein's quote suggests that time has a positive impact on exceptional companies as they grow, improve, and establish their position in the market. On the other hand, time poses a challenge to mediocre or average companies that may struggle to compete effectively due to their lack of innovation, efficiency, or quality. In essence, this statement underscores the importance of continuous improvement for companies to thrive over time.


"Investing should be more like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. If you want excitement, take $800 and go to a racetrack."

This quote suggests that investing, ideally, should be a slow, steady process rather than an exciting and fast-paced activity. The comparison between investing and observing mundane activities like watching paint dry or grass grow implies patience and a focus on long-term gains, as opposed to the quick thrills associated with gambling at a racetrack. In essence, David Rubenstein is advocating for a thoughtful and disciplined approach to investing that emphasizes growth over immediate excitement or potential loss.


It's clear to me when you do private equity well, you're making companies more efficient and helping them grow and become more profitable. That success means our investors - such as public pension funds - benefit, which contributes to the economic wealth of society.

- David Rubenstein

Equity, Private, Helping, Funds

All I'm doing is I'm filling out my tax returns - or my accountants are, and I'm paying whatever I'm supposed to pay, though I'm giving away a large amount of the money and that probably lowers my tax rate because I'm giving away so much money. But change the law, but don't blame me for the law. I'm not writing the law. I didn't write the law.

- David Rubenstein

Doing, Giving, Away, Tax Rate

As the baby boomers like me are retiring and getting ready to retire, they will spend whatever it takes - and they're the wealthiest generation in our country - to make themselves live an enjoyable life in their retirement years.

- David Rubenstein

Retirement, Country, Boomers, Retire

I give away about 50 percent of my income, so my, you know, desire to give back to the country is pretty strong and I intend to give away a lot more. I've signed the giving pledge with Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, and I intend to give away the bulk of my money.

- David Rubenstein

Strong, Country, Income, Intend

What do most people say on their deathbed? They don't say, 'I wish I'd made more money.' What they say is, 'I wish I'd spent more time with my family and done more for society or my community.'

- David Rubenstein

More, I Wish, Made, Deathbed

When I worked in the White House for President Carter, we tried to do comprehensive tax reform and we made some progress, and other presidents have as well.

- David Rubenstein

Some, Other, Made, Tax Reform

My father worked in a post office and never made probably more than $8,000 a year as an employee of the post office, so when people can rise up from very modest circumstances and do well economically, I think that's a good thing about America, and we should encourage that kind of activity.

- David Rubenstein

Activity, I Think, Very, Post Office

Anybody who gives away money is mostly looking at things where they think they can make a difference. I'm trying to help people who helped me, educational institutions that helped me with scholarships, or organizations that were very useful to me in growing up.

- David Rubenstein

Away, Very, Mostly, Make A Difference

I've given some money to the scholarships in the District of Columbia, to the best students in D.C... many of the students have written me letters telling me they could not have afforded to go to college without the scholarship and money I've given them.

- David Rubenstein

College, Some, Given, Letters

I realised how rich I had become and I asked myself, 'Do I really want to be the richest person in the cemetery?'

- David Rubenstein

Myself, Want, Realised, Richest

I think it's a little unfair for people to say you're not paying your fair share of taxes. I'm paying what I'm supposed to pay. Change the law, and I'll pay what I'm supposed to pay.

- David Rubenstein

Law, Think, I Think, Fair Share

Probably in 2035 we will pass that mantle on to China. It will be the biggest economy in the world, and it will go way past us and way past India. Given the growth, the size, the opportunities, I don't think there's any other place in the world that can match it.

- David Rubenstein

World, India, Other, Mantle

People used to think that private equity was basically just a compensation scheme, but it is much more about making companies more efficient.

- David Rubenstein

Think, Making, Private, Compensation

The world is a complicated place, and there's a lot of division between people. The performing arts tend to unify people in a way nothing else does.

- David Rubenstein

Nothing, Performing, Unify, Between

I'm on a lot of nonprofit boards, but if I didn't enjoy it I wouldn't do it. I haven't yet done anything that's transformational in philanthropy. But I hope at some point to target two or three causes or organizations and really make transformational gifts.

- David Rubenstein

Some, Nonprofit, Boards, Philanthropy

I am involved in a lot of nonprofits. And when I reached the ripe old age of 60, I wanted to provide leadership to some I had been involved in.

- David Rubenstein

Old, Some, Been, Ripe

Obama had reached out to the business community, they just haven't liked all of his decisions and some of his rhetoric. But generally, I think the administration is quite open and accessible.

- David Rubenstein

Think, Some, Accessible, Rhetoric

My work life is intense. But I love what I do.

- David Rubenstein

Love, Work, I Love, Intense

Moneymaking was never anything to me. I was happy never making money; I just was happy doing things I liked. But I fell into the money thing. I now don't feel guilty about it, but I am determined to give away the bulk of it and enjoy doing it.

- David Rubenstein

Happy, Doing, Away, Bulk

I don't really try to get involved politically by giving money to politicians or by saying I'm a Democrat or Republican. Right now, I just view myself as an American.

- David Rubenstein

Myself, American, Republican, Politicians

For me, few things are more compelling than watching a great opera.

- David Rubenstein

Opera, More, Compelling, Few Things

I'm blessed by the fact I only need five hours of sleep on a daily basis. I do tend to regard Saturday and Sunday as work days.

- David Rubenstein

Fact, Saturday, Hours, Daily Basis

I regard food as fuel. I am not a brunch person.

- David Rubenstein

I Am, Person, Regard, Fuel

You can only do three things with your money. You can spend it. You can invest it. Or you can give it away. And if you invest it, you're really just getting more money to give away or buy something. How many things can you buy? So I don't really think there's a lot of choices.

- David Rubenstein

Away, Buy, Your, Invest

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