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Robert Rubin
39 quotes
“Internalizing the core tenet of Professor Demos’s teaching — weighing risk and analyzing odds and trade-offs — was central to everything I did professionally in the decades ahead in finance and government.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Robert E. Rubin: Philosophy Prepared Me for a Career in Finance and Government", New York Times (April 30, 2018)
“Some people I’ve encountered in various phases of my career seem more certain about everything than I am about anything.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The only place people find fulfillment is within themselves. And too often, that's the last place they look.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Moments after being sworn in as Treasury Secretary in 1995, I stood in the Oval Office to advise the president on how to address the threat posed to us by the unfolding economic crisis in Mexico, an experience repeated two years later during the Asian financial crisis. I know what it's like to recommend complex responses with no certainty of success.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2020 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Bringing the Economy Back to Life", New York Times (April 17, 2020)
“We have an imperative need to address our unsustainable longer-term fiscal trajectory with sound economic policies. Few elected officials want to face this fact, but, at the very least, they should not make matters worse.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Republican tax plan’s five worst dangers", Washington Post (November 15, 2017)
“Unconventional monetary policy and stimulus can be part of a successful economic programme for a period of time. But they are no substitute for fiscal discipline, public investment and structural reform.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2014 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Sound government finances will promote recovery", Financial Times (January 8, 2014)
“In the United States, refusal to confront a longer-term fiscal threat is not new.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: America’s debt has exploded. Why does no one care?", Washington Post (August 13, 2018)
“If you look at the numbers over the last few years and you look at the growth we've had, which has been very good growth, some fair portion of that is because of immigration and the increase in the labor force.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Centerview's Robert Rubin on US Fiscal Policy, Tariff Risks", Bloomberg Invest Conference (March 4, 2025)
“I think they [tariffs] create a very serious risk of inflation, not only because prices of imported goods will be higher, but domestic producers will be able to raise prices because their competitors' prices will be higher. But also, I think it's a substantial threat to growth because it can adversely affect productivity since you can no longer have access to whatever is the most efficient producer of goods and services. And… there's a very serious risk of retaliation.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Centerview's Robert Rubin on US Fiscal Policy, Tariff Risks", Bloomberg Invest Conference (March 4, 2025)
“The challenges of opposing authoritarianism can be great. But the ever greater consequences, if authoritarianism is left to continue, can be many times more severe.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Why Have Business Leaders Gone Silent?", Wall Street Journal (January 15, 2026)
“When the business community and our leaders cease to speak out on matters of public concern, they turn their backs on the foundations of our country's success.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Why Have Business Leaders Gone Silent?", Wall Street Journal (January 15, 2026)
“Free markets can't be separated from other freedoms Americans have cherished and sometimes taken for granted. Due process, the rule of law, free speech, a free press and honest elections have been among our most powerful advantages in the global economy.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Why Have Business Leaders Gone Silent?", Wall Street Journal (January 15, 2026)
“Over the past year, President Trump has taken unprecedented actions to assert federal control over our economy and undermine the constitutional system on which that economy depends. In response, many leaders in the private sector—as well as in philanthropy, media, law and academia—have responded not with criticism, but with acquiescence and accommodation.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Why Have Business Leaders Gone Silent?", Wall Street Journal (January 15, 2026)
“In my experience, many leaders harbor deep concerns about Mr. Trump's lawlessness, weaponization of the government, and interference in markets. They refrain from public criticism not because they find nothing to criticize but because they're intimidated.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Why Have Business Leaders Gone Silent?", Wall Street Journal (January 15, 2026)
“Markets go up, markets go down.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Markets enjoying a sugar high that will not last", by Lawrence Summers, Financial Times (January 29, 2017)
“We’ve spoken to many leaders in business and finance who, when it comes to economic policy, are open to the premise that Mr. Trump is a normal presidential candidate. We strongly disagree. The two of us have been involved in business, government and policy for many years, with more than a century of experience between us. We’ve worked with elected officials and business leaders across the ideological spectrum... When it comes to economic policy, Mr. Trump is not a remotely normal candidate. A second Trump term would pose enormous risks to our economy.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Kenneth Chenault and Robert Rubin. "The Enormous Risks a Second Trump Term Poses to Our Economy", New York Times (July 8, 2024)
“Mr. Trump would also take unprecedented action to diminish the independence of the Federal Reserve, pressuring it to set interest rates for his short-term political gain rather than the long-term health of the economy... Such actions could do great damage to our markets and to our economy by politicizing Federal Reserve Board interest rate decisions and undermining the broader credibility of the Fed.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Kenneth Chenault and Robert Rubin. "The Enormous Risks a Second Trump Term Poses to Our Economy", New York Times (July 8, 2024)
“For our country to succeed economically, our market-based system must function alongside strong, effective government. Strong, effective government, in turn, requires a functioning democratic process.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: H.R. 1 and H.R. 4 would reform our democracy. They'd also help our economy.", Washington Post (March 17, 2021)
“What's so sad to me… is we [the United States] have such tremendous strengths and so many advantages. And I think the damage we're doing is very substantial. Attacking our research, attacking science and basic research, attacking our universities, immigration policy that makes no sense whatsoever.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Tariff Policy 'Extremely Unwise,' Says Fmr. Treasury Secretary", Greenwich Economic Forum (October 7, 2025)
“Our political system is in terrible shape. And that's not a partisan comment, though I do think Trump is doing just immense damage to our country, in his economic policies and his actions. But in neither party are we talking about a lot of what we need to talk about.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Tariff Policy 'Extremely Unwise,' Says Fmr. Treasury Secretary", Greenwich Economic Forum (October 7, 2025)
“While government can benefit from a business perspective, government can’t and shouldn’t be run like a business... While every company functions differently, businesses share the overarching goal of strong profitability over time. That focus is fundamental to our market economy. In government, however, there are always competing concerns, interests and ideologies. One idea isn’t inherently worthier than the other.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Limits of Running Government Like a Business", Wall Street Journal (January 17, 2025)
“Public-sector leaders have to define, balance and set priorities among different missions in ways private-sector leaders don’t… In government, there are multiple important and competing objectives, and compromise is essential to achieving them.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Limits of Running Government Like a Business", Wall Street Journal (January 17, 2025)
“More than a quarter-century after returning to the business world, I strongly recommend public service to anyone given the opportunity. I also recommend that outsiders arriving in Washington recognize how much they don’t know about government and how different it can be from business. The best way to make a successful transition to the public sector is to do so with humility.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Limits of Running Government Like a Business", Wall Street Journal (January 17, 2025)
“ECB [European Central Bank] President Mario Draghi’s famous promise to do ‘whatever it takes’ to preserve the eurozone was a masterly move to buy time. But monetary policy cannot solve the currency union’s problems.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2015 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Search for a Monetary-Policy Wizard and Political Moral Hazard", Wall Street Journal (February 23, 2015)
“To close great and growing wealth and income gaps, and to raise badly needed revenue for public investment, it’s not enough to lift the bottom up; we need to ask more of those at the top, too.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2020 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Democrats, if We Remain Divided, We’ll Fall", New York Times (March 2, 2020)
“When millions of people remain mired in poverty, no matter how hard they work, our whole economy suffers. Consigning millions of people to the economic margins has a serious adverse effect on the economy for all of us.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2014 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Robert Rubin: For 20 years, CDFIs have made neighborhoods better", CDFI Institute (March 6, 2014)
“The refundable child tax credit is not inflationary if paid for; is not a disincentive to work; and ought to be viewed as a public investment with a high rate of return.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Opinion: The child tax credit must become permanent. And refundable.", Washington Post (September 16, 2021)
“A refundable child tax credit can decrease infant mortality; improve the health and life expectancy of poor children and their parents; reduce exposure to abuse and neglect; reduce long-term health-care costs; and increase the future productivity, earnings and tax payments of child beneficiaries.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Opinion: The child tax credit must become permanent. And refundable.", Washington Post (September 16, 2021)
“While the FMLA [Family and Medical Leave Act] was a landmark achievement, it doesn’t go far enough. American workers and businesses need a universal paid leave program.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Opinion: America needs a universal paid leave program", Washington Post (February 22, 2018)
“We do not face a choice between protecting our environment or protecting our economy. We face a choice between protecting our economy by protecting our environment — or allowing environmental havoc to create economic havoc.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2014 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Robert Rubin: How ignoring climate change could sink the U.S. economy", Washington Post (July 24, 2014)
“Criminal justice reform is not just about being fair to the individuals who will be most directly affected, but it’s also about doing what’s right for our nation’s well-being.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Smart Way to Help Ex-Convicts, and Society", New York Times (June 3, 2016)
“People in prison are part of America, as are those who have been released. They are part of our society. And we have a powerful stake in their success.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Smart Way to Help Ex-Convicts, and Society", New York Times (June 3, 2016)
“Looking back, what most prepared me for the life I’ve led was the open exchange of ideas that I experienced in college and law school... I have seen firsthand the way America’s higher-education system strengthens our nation.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Robert E. Rubin: Higher Education Isn’t the Enemy", The Atlantic (May 21, 2024)
“With its underlying principles of free expression and academic freedom, the university system is one of the nation’s great strengths. It is not to be taken for granted. Undermining higher education would harm all Americans, weakening our country and making us less able to confront the many challenges we face.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Robert E. Rubin: Higher Education Isn’t the Enemy", The Atlantic (May 21, 2024)
“We invest in higher education because there’s a broad public purpose. Our colleges and universities are seen, rightly, as centers of learning, but they are also engines of economic growth... Institutions of higher education spur early-stage research of all kinds, create environments for commercializing that research, provide a base for start-up and technology hubs, and serve as a mentoring incubator for new generations of entrepreneurs and business leaders.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Robert E. Rubin: Higher Education Isn’t the Enemy", The Atlantic (May 21, 2024)
“Higher education helps create the kind of citizenry that is central to a democracy’s ability to function and perhaps even to survive.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Robert E. Rubin: Higher Education Isn’t the Enemy", The Atlantic (May 21, 2024)
“One does not have to agree with the sentiments being expressed by a speaker in order to be troubled by the idea that they would be suppressed because of their content.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Robert E. Rubin: Higher Education Isn’t the Enemy", The Atlantic (May 21, 2024)
“Some argue that many dire predictions raised at the start of Mr. Trump’s term did not come to pass. But he has expressed regret that his term was less radical than he would have liked — and has promised that his second term would be nothing like the first. From 2017 to 2021, Mr. Trump, while extreme in many respects, was constrained by key appointees who came from the traditional conservative establishment and by the need to appeal to the business community as he sought re-election. If he wins this November, he’s made clear that he’ll choose appointees who will be submissive to him, and he will have no looming re-election campaign providing an incentive to curb his most extreme impulses.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Kenneth Chenault and Robert Rubin. "The Enormous Risks a Second Trump Term Poses to Our Economy", New York Times (July 8, 2024)
“Nearly every element of Mr. Trump’s second-term agenda would create great risk of economic harm. In aggregate, there is a high likelihood that his agenda would lead to chaos and unpredictability, including global instability, in that way reducing investment and business activity. Meanwhile, inflation would be increased by tariffs, immigration restrictions and larger fiscal deficits. Some may feel that we made it through one Trump term and are thus likely to make it through another. But a more apt analogy is that after we survived one round of economic Russian roulette, Donald Trump is asking us to take another spin — only this time with many more bullets in the chamber. That would be a very dangerous game.”
Robert Rubin (born 1938) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Kenneth Chenault and Robert Rubin. "The Enormous Risks a Second Trump Term Poses to Our Economy", New York Times (July 8, 2024)