--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Im a cynic about corporate democracy and…" description: "\"Im a cynic about corporate democracy and boards.\" — Carl Icahn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72d/carl-icahn-17975_boards_im-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and_1301851.png" --- # Im a cynic about corporate democracy and boards. ![“Im a cynic about corporate democracy and boards.” quote by Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72d/carl-icahn-17975_boards_im-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and_1301851.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72d/carl-icahn-17975_boards_im-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and_1301851.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72d/carl-icahn-17975_boards_im-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and_1301851.png) > “Im a cynic about corporate democracy and boards.” [Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker expresses cynicism toward corporate democracy and board effectiveness. **In simple terms:** Cynical about corporate democracy. Key Takeaway Question board effectiveness. Themes corporate governance democracy cynicism Mood skeptical critical Type business philosophical When to use this quote - investor meetings - corporate reforms - strategic planning - ethics discussions Key Concepts shareholder rights board accountability Questions to Reflect On - How can boards become more transparent? - What alternatives exist to improve corporate democracy? A Different Perspective Cynicism may overlook positive reforms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boards/) [Corporate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corporate/) [Corporate Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corporate-democracy-4204045/) [Cynic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cynic/) [Cynic Corporate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cynic-corporate-4277096/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democracy Boards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-boards-4277097/) [Im Cynic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/im-cynic-4277095/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [We have bloated bureaucracies in Corporate America. The root of the problem is the absence of real corporate democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/we-have-bloated-bureaucracies-in-corporate-america-the-root-of-the/) [Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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/) > [Why should we strive, with cynic frown, to knock their fairy castles down?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliza-cook/why-should-we-strive-with-cynic-frown-to-knock-their-fairy-castles/) [Eliza Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliza-cook/) > [Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/cynicism-masquerades-as-wisdom-but-it-is-the-farthest-thing-from-it/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [The cynic makes fun of all earnestness; he makes fun of everything and everyone who feels that something can be done. . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-edgar-vincent/the-cynic-makes-fun-of-all-earnestness-he-makes-fun-of-everything-and/) [George Edgar Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-edgar-vincent/) > [The idea of The Boy Vs. The Cynic is the tension between the wide-eyed optimism in youthfulness where you think nothing can go wrong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-reuben-zappin/the-idea-of-the-boy-vs-the-cynic-is-the-tension-between-the-wide-eyed/) [John Reuben Zappin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-reuben-zappin/) > [Remember that all is opinion. For what was said by the Cynic Monimus is manifest: and manifest too is the use of what was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/remember-that-all-is-opinion-for-what-was-said-by-the-cynic-monimus/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [An executive should be a realist; and no one is less realistic than the cynic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/an-executive-should-be-a-realist-and-no-one-is-less-realistic-than/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [“Listen, O lord of the meeting rivers, things standing shall fall, but the moving ever shall stay.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/basava/listen-o-lord-of-the-meeting-rivers-things-standing-shall-fall-but/) [Basava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/basava/) > [“That's what I've never been able to get about religion: that charmless combination of altruism and insanity. Give me a cynical, self-interested bastard any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-carey/that-s-what-i-ve-never-been-able-to-get-about-religion-that-charmless/) [Mike Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-carey/) > [“Skeptics are always marked by their total lack of skepticism towards whatever position they are defending.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-madison/skeptics-are-always-marked-by-their-total-lack-of-skepticism-towards/) [Steve Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-madison/) > [I get the cynicism thing all the time, although I don't really know where that comes from, because I think I'm actually the opposite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-taibbi/i-get-the-cynicism-thing-all-the-time-although-i-don-t-really-know/) [Matt Taibbi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-taibbi/) > [Only the broken-hearted idealist can become a cynic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-clifton/only-the-broken-hearted-idealist-can-become-a-cynic/) [Mark Clifton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-clifton/) > [The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning, that is, with other people, at other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-only-activity-a-cynic-will-find-contagious-is-yawning-that-is/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) ## 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/) [Explore all 36 Carl Icahn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/) ## More Boards quotes > [One of the worst things to come out of the Consumer Protection Board's misleading claims is the impression that government resources are to hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lesko/one-of-the-worst-things-to-come-out-of-the-consumer-protection-board/) [Matthew Lesko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lesko/) > [I am somewhat influenced by the years that I've spent trying to actually get things done, whether it was reforming education in Arkansas or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-am-somewhat-influenced-by-the-years-that-i-ve-spent-trying-to/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Cows are a lot smarter across the board than bulls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-haden-church/cows-are-a-lot-smarter-across-the-board-than-bulls/) [Thomas Haden Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-haden-church/) > [Some guys need to see things on a grease board, ... I like when you can see it in your mind. And that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-manning/some-guys-need-to-see-things-on-a-grease-board-i-like-when-you-can/) [Peyton Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-manning/) > [I am formally accountable to the steering board of the PIC, and I meet with nine ambassadors from the PIC every week. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/i-am-formally-accountable-to-the-steering-board-of-the-pic-and-i-meet/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [You are also asked to take an oath, and that's the oath of service. The oath of service is not to secrecy, but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/you-are-also-asked-to-take-an-oath-and-that-s-the-oath-of-service-the/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [When his highness sends a ship to Egypt, does he trouble his head whether the mice on board are at their ease or not?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/when-his-highness-sends-a-ship-to-egypt-does-he-trouble-his-head/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [Perhaps we have failed as human beings. Perhaps we have embarrassed ourselves to the natural world. We have been rigorous and willful in all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sufjan-stevens/perhaps-we-have-failed-as-human-beings-perhaps-we-have-embarrassed/) [Sufjan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sufjan-stevens/) > [Once scouting fully opens its doors to all who desire the same experience that so fully enriched me as a young person, I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/once-scouting-fully-opens-its-doors-to-all-who-desire-the-same/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Politicians should be dedicated to the welfare of the people, but sometimes politics becomes like a game of chess, in which the sole aim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/politicians-should-be-dedicated-to-the-welfare-of-the-people-but/) [Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/) > [This world is not a platform where you will hear Thalberg-piano-playing. It is a piano manufactory, where are dust and shavings and boards, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/this-world-is-not-a-platform-where-you-will-hear-thalberg-piano/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [He is nothing more than one of my pawns. However, he is not a normal pawn. He is a pawn that can get across…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yana-toboso/he-is-nothing-more-than-one-of-my-pawns-however-he-is-not-a-normal/) [Yana Toboso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yana-toboso/) > [Corporations are totalitarian institutions. Board of directors at the top of managers give orders, everyone follows orders… At the very bottom of command, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/corporations-are-totalitarian-institutions-board-of-directors-at-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Our current use of time is not rational. There is therefore no point in seeking marginal improvements in how we spend our time. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-koch/our-current-use-of-time-is-not-rational-there-is-therefore-no-point/) [Richard Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-koch/) > [When I was in college, I lost my scholarship one year. I had enough money for tuition, but not room and board. So I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-hass/when-i-was-in-college-i-lost-my-scholarship-one-year-i-had-enough/) [Robert Hass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-hass/) [Browse all 1,220 Boards quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boards/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Im a cynic about corporate democracy and boards.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Carl Icahn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/im-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and-boards/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Boards" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/im-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and-boards/#quotation", "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": "BreadcrumbList", "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": "Carl Icahn", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Im a cynic about corporate democracy...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/im-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and-boards/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-icahn/im-a-cynic-about-corporate-democracy-and-boards/#breadcrumb" }, { "@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 } } ] } ```