---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not a builder of buildings, I'm a…"
description: "\"I'm not a builder of buildings, I'm a builder of collections.\" — Leonard Lauder"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dce/leonard-lauder-27809_builder_i-m-not-a-builder-of-buildings-i-m-a-bui_2322470.jpg"
---

#  I'm not a builder of buildings, I'm a builder of…

![“I'm not a builder of buildings, I'm a builder of collections.” quote by Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dce/leonard-lauder-27809_builder_i-m-not-a-builder-of-buildings-i-m-a-bui_2322470.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dce/leonard-lauder-27809_builder_i-m-not-a-builder-of-buildings-i-m-a-bui_2322470.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dce/leonard-lauder-27809_builder_i-m-not-a-builder-of-buildings-i-m-a-bui_2322470.jpg)

> “I'm not a builder of buildings, I'm a builder of collections.”

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Values building collections over physical structures, emphasizing intangible assets.

**In simple terms:** Collect ideas, not just buildings.

Key Takeaway

Focus on curating valuable assets.

Themes

innovation culture legacy

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

philosophical business

When to use this quote

- museum curation
- art acquisitions
- brand development

Key Concepts

curation intellectual capital

Questions to Reflect On

- What collections define your legacy?
- How do you nurture them?

A Different Perspective

Physical infrastructure still matters for some goals.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Builder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/builder/) [Builder Buildings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/builder-buildings-5556511/) [Builder Collections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/builder-collections-5556510/) [Building](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/building/) [Buildings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buildings/) [Buildings Builder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buildings-builder-5556512/) [Collections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collections/) [Engineering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineering/)

## Related quotes

> [The clatter of a changing world is not pleasant, and those who have enjoyed the comforts and protection of the old order may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/the-clatter-of-a-changing-world-is-not-pleasant-and-those-who-have/)

[Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/)

> [Ninety percent of my best friends back home are plumbers, electricians, builders, or landscapers. Most of our dads worked in trades.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-hemsworth/ninety-percent-of-my-best-friends-back-home-are-plumbers-electricians/)

[Liam Hemsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-hemsworth/)

> [But the virtues we get by first exercising them, as also happens in the case of the arts as well. For the things we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/but-the-virtues-we-get-by-first-exercising-them-as-also-happens-in/)

[Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/)

> [I look on everything with a very optimistic eye. Because I'm a body builder by trade, you know, that was my intent all my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-chong/i-look-on-everything-with-a-very-optimistic-eye-because-i-m-a-body/)

[Tommy Chong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-chong/)

> [I have discovered the secrets of the pyramids, and have found out how the Egyptians and the ancient builders in Peru, Yucatan and Asia,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-leedskalnin/i-have-discovered-the-secrets-of-the-pyramids-and-have-found-out-how/)

[Edward Leedskalnin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-leedskalnin/)

> [Donald Trump, as a businessman, he's not much of a builder and he's not much of dealmaker and he certainly isn't very good at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-frum/donald-trump-as-a-businessman-he-s-not-much-of-a-builder-and-he-s-not/)

[David Frum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-frum/)

> [It is interesting, that termites don't build things, and the great builders of our nation almost to a man have been Christians, because Christians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-robertson/it-is-interesting-that-termites-don-t-build-things-and-the-great/)

[Pat Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-robertson/)

> [Builders insist that success may never come without a compelling personal commitment to something you care about and would be willing to do with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-i-porras/builders-insist-that-success-may-never-come-without-a-compelling/)

[Jerry I. Porras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-i-porras/)

> [I came to architecture from building. Because my father was a builder, everybody was - and is - a builder in my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renzo-piano/i-came-to-architecture-from-building-because-my-father-was-a-builder/)

[Renzo Piano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renzo-piano/)

> [The sport of wrestling is a tremendous builder of the values and characteristics which are needed to succeed in any walk of life. Much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-hastert/the-sport-of-wrestling-is-a-tremendous-builder-of-the-values-and/)

[Dennis Hastert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-hastert/)

> [I'm kind of a builder of institutions. I think I've got some ability to look at what's out here, look at a playing field,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/i-m-kind-of-a-builder-of-institutions-i-think-i-ve-got-some-ability/)

[David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/)

> [“You cannot permanently destroy what you didn't build because the builder can always choose to build again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khuliso-mamathoni/you-cannot-permanently-destroy-what-you-didn-t-build-because-the/)

[Khuliso Mamathoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khuliso-mamathoni/)

> [Much can they praise the trees so straight and high, The sailing pine,the cedar proud and tall, The vine-prop elm, the poplar never dry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/much-can-they-praise-the-trees-so-straight-and-high-the-sailing-pine/)

[Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/)

> [In the eyes of empire builders men are not men but instruments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/in-the-eyes-of-empire-builders-men-are-not-men-but-instruments/)

[Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/)

> [Our economy is broken. I'm not a politician, but neither is Donald Trump. He is a builder, and it's time to rebuild America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-thiel/our-economy-is-broken-i-m-not-a-politician-but-neither-is-donald/)

[Peter Thiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-thiel/)

## More by Leonard Lauder

> [I came to realize that visualizing, projecting yourself into a successful situation, is the most powerful means there is of achieving personal goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/i-came-to-realize-that-visualizing-projecting-yourself-into-a/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

> [My mother always used to say when picking up a product, 'Would you give this to the Duchess of Windsor?' Well, that's lovely. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/my-mother-always-used-to-say-when-picking-up-a-product-would-you-give/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

> [I love rumors. It gives me something to think about and enjoy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/i-love-rumors-it-gives-me-something-to-think-about-and-enjoy/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

> [The best advice I ever got came from my mother, Estee Lauder: She believed that if you had something good to say, you should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/the-best-advice-i-ever-got-came-from-my-mother-estee-lauder-she/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

> [Every morning, I eat one fat-free yogurt with a sliced peach when peaches are in season, and one thin slice of whole-wheat bread. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/every-morning-i-eat-one-fat-free-yogurt-with-a-sliced-peach-when/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

> [I think a cosmetics company should be headed by a woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/i-think-a-cosmetics-company-should-be-headed-by-a-woman/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

> [I don't think there's anything wrong with being paternalistic as a company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/i-don-t-think-there-s-anything-wrong-with-being-paternalistic-as-a/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

> [If I don't learn something every single day, it's a wasted day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/if-i-don-t-learn-something-every-single-day-it-s-a-wasted-day/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

> [I happen to like Precisionism. It talks to me because I collect Cubism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/i-happen-to-like-precisionism-it-talks-to-me-because-i-collect-cubism/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

> [When you live in the shadow of a big tree, you have to run twice as fast to get into the sunlight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/when-you-live-in-the-shadow-of-a-big-tree-you-have-to-run-twice-as/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

> [You can't separate a house from a family. It's a living, breathing home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/you-can-t-separate-a-house-from-a-family-it-s-a-living-breathing-home/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

> [I'd rather be a big fish in a specialized pond than a little, little fish in a more generalized big pond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/i-d-rather-be-a-big-fish-in-a-specialized-pond-than-a-little-little/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

> [I love that works of art are printed so that anyone can buy them. The variety of what they put on little postcards astounds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/i-love-that-works-of-art-are-printed-so-that-anyone-can-buy-them-the/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

> [Here's the thing - if you stop learning, you might as well pack it in. You can't learn anything with your mouth open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/here-s-the-thing-if-you-stop-learning-you-might-as-well-pack-it-in/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

> [To be a great leader, you firstly have to like people. If you don't like people, at the end of the day they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/to-be-a-great-leader-you-firstly-have-to-like-people-if-you-don-t/)

[Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

[Explore all 20 Leonard Lauder quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/)

## More Builder quotes

> [The clatter of a changing world is not pleasant, and those who have enjoyed the comforts and protection of the old order may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/the-clatter-of-a-changing-world-is-not-pleasant-and-those-who-have/)

[Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/)

> [In the eyes of empire builders men are not men but instruments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/in-the-eyes-of-empire-builders-men-are-not-men-but-instruments/)

[Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/)

> [Much can they praise the trees so straight and high, The sailing pine,the cedar proud and tall, The vine-prop elm, the poplar never dry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/much-can-they-praise-the-trees-so-straight-and-high-the-sailing-pine/)

[Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/)

> [“You cannot permanently destroy what you didn't build because the builder can always choose to build again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khuliso-mamathoni/you-cannot-permanently-destroy-what-you-didn-t-build-because-the/)

[Khuliso Mamathoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khuliso-mamathoni/)

> [I'm kind of a builder of institutions. I think I've got some ability to look at what's out here, look at a playing field,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/i-m-kind-of-a-builder-of-institutions-i-think-i-ve-got-some-ability/)

[David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/)

> [The sport of wrestling is a tremendous builder of the values and characteristics which are needed to succeed in any walk of life. Much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-hastert/the-sport-of-wrestling-is-a-tremendous-builder-of-the-values-and/)

[Dennis Hastert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-hastert/)

> [I came to architecture from building. Because my father was a builder, everybody was - and is - a builder in my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renzo-piano/i-came-to-architecture-from-building-because-my-father-was-a-builder/)

[Renzo Piano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renzo-piano/)

> [Builders insist that success may never come without a compelling personal commitment to something you care about and would be willing to do with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-i-porras/builders-insist-that-success-may-never-come-without-a-compelling/)

[Jerry I. Porras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-i-porras/)

> [It is interesting, that termites don't build things, and the great builders of our nation almost to a man have been Christians, because Christians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-robertson/it-is-interesting-that-termites-don-t-build-things-and-the-great/)

[Pat Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-robertson/)

> [Donald Trump, as a businessman, he's not much of a builder and he's not much of dealmaker and he certainly isn't very good at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-frum/donald-trump-as-a-businessman-he-s-not-much-of-a-builder-and-he-s-not/)

[David Frum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-frum/)

> [I have discovered the secrets of the pyramids, and have found out how the Egyptians and the ancient builders in Peru, Yucatan and Asia,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-leedskalnin/i-have-discovered-the-secrets-of-the-pyramids-and-have-found-out-how/)

[Edward Leedskalnin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-leedskalnin/)

> [I look on everything with a very optimistic eye. Because I'm a body builder by trade, you know, that was my intent all my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-chong/i-look-on-everything-with-a-very-optimistic-eye-because-i-m-a-body/)

[Tommy Chong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-chong/)

> [But the virtues we get by first exercising them, as also happens in the case of the arts as well. For the things we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/but-the-virtues-we-get-by-first-exercising-them-as-also-happens-in/)

[Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/)

> [Ninety percent of my best friends back home are plumbers, electricians, builders, or landscapers. Most of our dads worked in trades.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-hemsworth/ninety-percent-of-my-best-friends-back-home-are-plumbers-electricians/)

[Liam Hemsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-hemsworth/)

> [Our economy is broken. I'm not a politician, but neither is Donald Trump. He is a builder, and it's time to rebuild America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-thiel/our-economy-is-broken-i-m-not-a-politician-but-neither-is-donald/)

[Peter Thiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-thiel/)

[Browse all 296 Builder quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/builder/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I'm not a builder of buildings, I'm a builder of collections.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Leonard Lauder"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/i-m-not-a-builder-of-buildings-i-m-a-builder-of-collections/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Builder"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/i-m-not-a-builder-of-buildings-i-m-a-builder-of-collections/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dce/leonard-lauder-27809_builder_i-m-not-a-builder-of-buildings-i-m-a-bui_2322470.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dce/leonard-lauder-27809_builder_i-m-not-a-builder-of-buildings-i-m-a-bui_2322470.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dce/leonard-lauder-27809_builder_i-m-not-a-builder-of-buildings-i-m-a-bui_2322470.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I'm not a builder of buildings, I'm a builder of collections.” — Leonard Lauder",
                "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": "Leonard Lauder",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I'm not a builder of buildings,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/i-m-not-a-builder-of-buildings-i-m-a-builder-of-collections/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/i-m-not-a-builder-of-buildings-i-m-a-builder-of-collections/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
