Felix Rohatyn Quotes & Sayings

In the 1970s, New York City avoided bankruptcy because wise political leaders like Gov. Hugh L. Carey believed both in strong labor unions and robust banks and companies. — Felix Rohatyn

Investment banking is not a business; it is a personal service where bankers work hand in hand with their clients. And it is a service that must not simply be about making bigger and bigger deals that reap rewards for only a small group of executives. — Felix Rohatyn

Beware of lawyers and consultants and people who do not take risks and who do not get their hands dirty. — Felix Rohatyn

What is desperately needed ... is the skepticism and the sense of history that a liberal arts education provides. — Felix Rohatyn

Throughout U.S. history, competent public investments have been an essential complement to private investments - from the Louisiana Purchase, to land-grant colleges, to the Interstate Highway System, to the Internet. — Felix Rohatyn

Hillary Brown understands that?for our grandchildren's sake?we must rebuild America and, in doing so, re-imagine our interconnected infrastructure systems to make them more efficient, environmentally safe, and resilient in this age of global urbanization. This fascinating and important book should be required reading for our elected officials and policy-makers. — Felix Rohatyn

I think there are two areas where new ideas are terribly dangerous: economics and sex. By and large, it's all been tried, and if it's really new, it's probably illegal or dangerous or unhealthy. — Felix Rohatyn

Financial hydrogen bombs built on personal computers by 26-year-olds with MBAs. — Felix Rohatyn

The early years of my life were very, very traumatic. It was scary, because any child knew that death was sort of lurking around Europe as far as Jews were concerned. — Felix Rohatyn

The whole market mechanism and its evolution is something that, I'm kind of of the Buffett School. You know, if I see a derivative, I run the other way. — Felix Rohatyn

Success in business, as in life, is often largely just a matter of luck. — Felix Rohatyn

I am a capitalist and I believe in making a profit. — Felix Rohatyn

Saving New York City from bankruptcy is like making love to a gorilla. You don't stop when you're tired; you stop when he's tired. — Felix Rohatyn

At its core, banking is not simply about profit, but about personal relationships. — Felix Rohatyn

Democracy cannot flourish half rich and half poor, any more than it can flourish half free and half slave. — Felix Rohatyn

Fairness does not require the redistribution of wealth;
it requires the creation of wealth, geared to an economy
that can provide employment for everyone able and willing to work. — Felix Rohatyn