---
title: "5 Boards Quotes By Carl Icahn"
description: "5 Boards quotes by Carl Icahn. Plus more from Carl Icahn and more Boards sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/carl-icahn-17975_board_i-can-tell-you-how-bad-our-boards-are-i_73169.png"
---

> [I can tell you how bad our boards are... I don't have to watch Saturday Night Live anymore; I just go to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/i-can-tell-you-how-bad-our-boards-are-i-don-t-have-to-watch-saturday/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/carl-icahn-17975_board_i-can-tell-you-how-bad-our-boards-are-i_73169.png)

> [Im a cynic about corporate democracy and boards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/im-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and-boards/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72d/carl-icahn-17975_boards_im-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and_1301851.png)

> [Too often it's not the most creative guys or the smartest. Instead, it's the ones who are best at playing politics and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/too-often-it-s-not-the-most-creative-guys-or-the-smartest-instead-it/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ef/carl-icahn-17975_boards_too-often-it-s-not-the-most-creative-guy_1900180.png)

> [In life and business, there are two cardinal sins, the first is to act precipitously without thought, and the second is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/in-life-and-business-there-are-two-cardinal-sins-the-first-is-to-act-2/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/carl-icahn-17975_believe_in-life-and-business-there-are-two-cardi_2339232.png)

> [I'm a cynic about corporate democracy and boards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/i-m-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and-boards/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fb/carl-icahn-17975_about_i-m-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-an_3051287.png)

## Other authors on Boards

## More by Carl Icahn

> [I can tell you how bad our boards are... I don't have to watch Saturday Night Live anymore; I just go to the board…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/i-can-tell-you-how-bad-our-boards-are-i-don-t-have-to-watch-saturday/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

> [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.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/ceos-are-paid-for-doing-a-terrible-job-if-the-system-wasn-t-so-messed/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

> [In life and business, there are two cardinal sins. The first is to act precipitously without thought and the second is to not act…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/in-life-and-business-there-are-two-cardinal-sins-the-first-is-to-act/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

> [Had a nice conversation with Tim Cook today. Discussed my opinion that a larger buyback should be done now. We plan to speak again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/had-a-nice-conversation-with-tim-cook-today-discussed-my-opinion-that/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

> [Reuters was completely accurate that I am concerned about the level of the market. But I also made it clear on the conference call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/reuters-was-completely-accurate-that-i-am-concerned-about-the-level/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

> [You learn in this business: It you want a friend, get a dog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/you-learn-in-this-business-it-you-want-a-friend-get-a-dog/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

> [When most investors, including the pros, all agree on something, they're usually wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/when-most-investors-including-the-pros-all-agree-on-something-they-re/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/and-i-m-convinced-beyond-a-shadow-of-a-doubt-that-you-can-work-with/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

> [I like winning. There's also a certain joy in it. I feel fulfilled by it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/i-like-winning-there-s-also-a-certain-joy-in-it-i-feel-fulfilled-by-it/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

> [In 2008, people who invested in hedge funds needed capital badly, but many of the funds would not return their money. However, I gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/in-2008-people-who-invested-in-hedge-funds-needed-capital-badly-but/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

> [You learn in this business.. If you want a friend, get a dog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/you-learn-in-this-business-if-you-want-a-friend-get-a-dog/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

> [My wife watches me like a hawk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/my-wife-watches-me-like-a-hawk/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

> [When you have no one to answer to, vendetta as investment strategy is as legitimate as anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/when-you-have-no-one-to-answer-to-vendetta-as-investment-strategy-is/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/we-re-not-about-liquidating-companies-but-if-you-do-that-why-is-that/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

> [With some exceptions, the wrong people are running U.S. companies. It's been that way for years, and it hasn't gotten much better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/with-some-exceptions-the-wrong-people-are-running-u-s-companies-it-s/)

[Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "ItemList",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boards/carl-icahn/#itemlist",
            "name": "5 Boards Quotes By Carl Icahn",
            "numberOfItems": 5,
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "item": {
                        "@type": "Quotation",
                        "text": "I can tell you how bad our boards are... I don't have to watch Saturday Night Live anymore; I just go to the board meetings.",
                        "creator": {
                            "@type": "Person",
                            "name": "Carl Icahn"
                        },
                        "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/i-can-tell-you-how-bad-our-boards-are-i-don-t-have-to-watch-saturday/",
                        "image": {
                            "@type": "ImageObject",
                            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/carl-icahn-17975_board_i-can-tell-you-how-bad-our-boards-are-i_73169.png",
                            "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/carl-icahn-17975_board_i-can-tell-you-how-bad-our-boards-are-i_73169.png",
                            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/carl-icahn-17975_board_i-can-tell-you-how-bad-our-boards-are-i_73169.png",
                            "width": 1080,
                            "height": 1080,
                            "caption": "“I can tell you how bad our boards are... I don't have to watch Saturday Night Live anymore; I just go to the…” — Carl Icahn",
                            "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                            "creator": {
                                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "item": {
                        "@type": "Quotation",
                        "text": "Im a cynic about corporate democracy and boards.",
                        "creator": {
                            "@type": "Person",
                            "name": "Carl Icahn"
                        },
                        "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/im-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and-boards/",
                        "image": {
                            "@type": "ImageObject",
                            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72d/carl-icahn-17975_boards_im-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and_1301851.png",
                            "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72d/carl-icahn-17975_boards_im-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and_1301851.png",
                            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72d/carl-icahn-17975_boards_im-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and_1301851.png",
                            "width": 1080,
                            "height": 1080,
                            "caption": "“Im a cynic about corporate democracy and boards.” — Carl Icahn",
                            "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                            "creator": {
                                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "item": {
                        "@type": "Quotation",
                        "text": "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.",
                        "creator": {
                            "@type": "Person",
                            "name": "Carl Icahn"
                        },
                        "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/too-often-it-s-not-the-most-creative-guys-or-the-smartest-instead-it/",
                        "image": {
                            "@type": "ImageObject",
                            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ef/carl-icahn-17975_boards_too-often-it-s-not-the-most-creative-guy_1900180.png",
                            "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ef/carl-icahn-17975_boards_too-often-it-s-not-the-most-creative-guy_1900180.png",
                            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ef/carl-icahn-17975_boards_too-often-it-s-not-the-most-creative-guy_1900180.png",
                            "width": 1080,
                            "height": 1080,
                            "caption": "“Too often it's not the most creative guys or the smartest. Instead, it's the ones who are best at playing…” — Carl Icahn",
                            "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                            "creator": {
                                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "item": {
                        "@type": "Quotation",
                        "text": "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. Unfortunately the board of directors and top management of Times Warner already committed the first sin by merging with AOL, and we believe they are currently in the process of committing the second; now is not a time to move slowly and suffer the paralysis of inaction.",
                        "creator": {
                            "@type": "Person",
                            "name": "Carl Icahn"
                        },
                        "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/in-life-and-business-there-are-two-cardinal-sins-the-first-is-to-act-2/",
                        "image": {
                            "@type": "ImageObject",
                            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/carl-icahn-17975_believe_in-life-and-business-there-are-two-cardi_2339232.png",
                            "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/carl-icahn-17975_believe_in-life-and-business-there-are-two-cardi_2339232.png",
                            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/carl-icahn-17975_believe_in-life-and-business-there-are-two-cardi_2339232.png",
                            "width": 1080,
                            "height": 1080,
                            "caption": "“In life and business, there are two cardinal sins, the first is to act precipitously without thought, and…” — Carl Icahn",
                            "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                            "creator": {
                                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 5,
                    "item": {
                        "@type": "Quotation",
                        "text": "I'm a cynic about corporate democracy and boards.",
                        "creator": {
                            "@type": "Person",
                            "name": "Carl Icahn"
                        },
                        "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/i-m-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and-boards/",
                        "image": {
                            "@type": "ImageObject",
                            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fb/carl-icahn-17975_about_i-m-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-an_3051287.png",
                            "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fb/carl-icahn-17975_about_i-m-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-an_3051287.png",
                            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fb/carl-icahn-17975_about_i-m-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-an_3051287.png",
                            "width": 1080,
                            "height": 1080,
                            "caption": "“I'm a cynic about corporate democracy and boards.” — Carl Icahn",
                            "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                            "creator": {
                                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "@type": "CollectionPage",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boards/carl-icahn/#webpage",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boards/carl-icahn/",
            "name": "Boards Quotes by Carl Icahn",
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "mainEntity": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boards/carl-icahn/#itemlist"
            },
            "primaryImageOfPage": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/carl-icahn-17975_board_i-can-tell-you-how-bad-our-boards-are-i_73169.png"
            },
            "description": "5 Boards quotes by Carl Icahn. Plus more from Carl Icahn and more Boards sayings from other authors.",
            "breadcrumb": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boards/carl-icahn/#breadcrumb"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boards/carl-icahn/#breadcrumb",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Topics",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/categories/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Boards",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boards/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 5,
                    "name": "Carl Icahn",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boards/carl-icahn/"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
