“You cannot push anyone up the ladder unless he is willing to climb” is a slight misquotation of what American industrialist Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) said in a speech at Union College (Schenectady, NY) in 1895. Carnegie’s actual words were:
 
“It (Cooper Institute—ed.) will educate the brain, the spiritual part of man; it furnishes a ladder upon which the aspiring poor may climb, and there is no use whatever, gentlemen, trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push any one up a ladder unless he be willing to climb a little himself.”
 
“Do not ask God to guide your footsteps if you’re not willing to move your feet” is a similar saying.
 
 
Wikipedia: Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie (/kɑrˈneɪɡi/ kar-nay-gee, but commonly /ˈkɑrnɨɡi/ kar-nə-gee or /kɑrˈnɛɡi/ kar-neg-ee; November 25, 1835 – August 11, 1919) was a Scottish American industrialist who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century. He was also one of the highest profile philanthropists of his era and had given away almost 90 percent – amounting to, in 1919, $350 million (in 2014, $4.76 billion) – of his fortune to charities and foundations by the time of his death. His 1889 article proclaiming “The Gospel of Wealth” called on the rich to use their wealth to improve society, and stimulated a wave of philanthropy.
 
Chronicling America
27 January 1895, The Sun (New York, NY), pg. 16, col. 1:
WEALTH AND ITS USES.
A LECTURE BY ANDREW CARNEGIE AT UNION COLLEGE.
SCHENECTADY, Jan. 25.—Andrew Carnegie delivered an address on “Wealth and Its Uses” to the students of Union College to-day; and we subjoin an exact report of the same.
Pg. 16, col. 4:
It (Cooper Institute—ed.) will educate the brain, the spiritual part of man; it furnishes a ladder upon which the aspiring poor may climb, and there is no use whatever, gentlemen, trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push any one up a ladder unless he be willing to climb a little himself.
 
Chronicling America
2 February 1895, Scranton (PA) Tribune, pg. 9, col. 1:
Below are portions of an instructive address on “Wealth and Its Uses” recently delivered before the pupils of Union college, at Schenectady, N.Y., by Andrew Carnegie.
Pg. 9, col. 3:
It (Cooper Institute—ed.) will educate the brain, the spiritual part of man; it furnishes a ladder upon which the aspiring poor may climb, and there is no use whatever, gentlemen, trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push any one up a ladder unless he be willing to climb a little himself.
   
Google Books
February 1900, Our Day (Chicago, IL), pg. 75:
Mr. Carnegie believes in helping his men upward. He does not entertain the opinion of many that charity does much for humanity.
Pg. 76:
Recently he said: “Of every thousand dollars given to charity nine hundred and fifty might as well be thrown into the sea. Help the aspiring. It is of no use to boost a man up a ladder unless he is willing to climb himself.”
 
Google Books
Little Journeys to the Homes of Great Business Men
By Elbert Hubbard
East Aurora, NY: Roycrofters
1909
Pg. 60 (Andrew Carnegie):
You can not push any one up a ladder unless he is willing to climb a little himself.
   
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Up-to-the-Times Magazine
Volume 14
1919
Pg. 8829:
You cannot push any one up a ladder, unless he is willing to climb a little. — Carnegie.
 
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You cannot push anyone up the ladder unless he is willing to climb. - Andrew Carnegie
8:51 PM - 24 Dec 2014
 
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You cannot push anyone up the ladder unless he is willing to climb. - Andrew Carnegie
4:46 AM - 26 Dec 2014