Mr. Westinghouse, you have been my friend, you believed in…
““Mr. Westinghouse, you have been my friend, you believed in me when others had no faith; you were brave enough to go ahead when others lacked courage; you supported me when even your own engineers lacked vision. ... Here is your contract, and here is my contract. I will tear them both to pieces, and you will no longer have any troubles from my royalties.” In time, these royalties would’ve made Tesla the world’s first billionaire. Instead, they enabled Westinghouse to save his company. Tesla’s selflessness was a testament not only to his generosity and goodwill, but his belief in his ability to continue to create his future.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Tesla chose to for his patents to help Westinghouse succeed, prioritizing collective progress over personal wealth.
In simple terms: He gave up money to help a partner succeed.
Key Takeaway
Value collaboration over profit.
Themes
innovation
generosity
collaboration
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
historical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- business partnerships
- technology development
- ethical entrepreneurship
Key Concepts
patent sharing
industrial growth
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates self‑sacrifice in business?
- How does trust affect partnership outcomes?
A Different Perspective
Giving away patents can risk personal financial security.