Alan Greenspan Quotes, born March 6, 1926, in New York City, is an American economist who served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006, the second-longest tenure in the role. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan, Greenspan guided the U.S. economy through major events like the 1987 stock market crash, the dot-com bubble, and the aftermath of 9/11, earning the nickname “The Maestro.” A former clarinetist and NYU-educated scholar, he influenced monetary policy with his nuanced approach, though his policies were later scrutinized for contributing to the 2008 financial crisis. These 15 quotes—sourced from speeches, interviews, his book The Age of Turbulence, and public statements—reflect his insights on economics, markets, human nature, and policy, capturing his analytical mind and complex legacy.
15 Alan Greenspan Quotes
- “I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” (The Age of Turbulence, 2008)
- “In the absence of the gold standard, there is no way to protect savings from confiscation through inflation. There is no safe store of value.” (Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, 1986)
- “If I turn out to be particularly clear, you’ve probably misunderstood what I’ve said.” (Speech, American Enterprise Institute, 1996)
- “The United States can pay any debt it has because we can always print money to do that. So there is zero probability of default.” (Interview, PBS NewsHour, 2011)
- “Fear is a far more dominant force in human behaviour than euphoria—it shows up in the data in so many ways.” (Interview, Financial Times, 2013)
- “Correlation is not causation, but it sure is a hint.” (The Age of Turbulence, 2008)
- “I guess I should warn you, if I turn out to be particularly clear, you’ve probably misunderstood what I’ve said.” (Speech to Congress, 1987)
- “The number one problem in today’s generation and economy is the lack of financial literacy.” (Interview, CNBC, 2013)
- “Rules cannot take the place of character.” (The Age of Turbulence, 2008)
- “Deficit spending is simply a scheme for the ‘hidden’ confiscation of wealth.” (Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, 1986)
- “I have found no greater satisfaction than achieving success through honest dealing and strict adherence to the view that, for you to gain, those you deal with should gain as well.” (Speech, NYU Commencement, 1999)
- “Those of us who have looked to the self-interest of lending institutions to protect shareholder’s equity—myself especially—are in a state of shocked disbelief.” (Testimony, House Oversight Committee, October 2008)
- “The true measure of a career is to be able to be content, even proud, that you succeeded through your own endeavors without leaving a trail of casualties in your wake.” (Speech, Economic Club of New York, 2005)
- “Capitalism is based on self-interest and self-esteem; it holds integrity and trustworthiness as cardinal virtues and makes them pay off in the marketplace.” (Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, 1986)
- “The greatest danger to our prosperity is not recession, but a long-term stagnation in productivity growth.” (Capitalism in America: An Economic History of the United States, 2018)
Alan Greenspan’s quotes are a potent blend of economic wisdom, cautionary insight, and reflections on human nature, urging readers to think critically about markets and morality. Which quote sparks your economic curiosity? Share it below and keep Greenspan’s legacy in the conversation!
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