"The first man gets the oyster, the second man gets the shell"

This quote by Andrew Carnegie is a metaphor for the idea that the first person to take advantage of an opportunity will enjoy the best rewards. The oyster in this metaphor represents the opportunity, and the very first individual to recognize and act on it will be rewarded with the greatest benefit. The 2nd person, nevertheless, will not be able to gain the very same rewards, as the chance has already been taken. Rather, they will be entrusted to the shell, which is a suggestion of the chance that was missed out on. This quote serves as a suggestion to be proactive and benefit from chances when they occur, as the benefits are higher for those who act first. It likewise serves as a cautioning to not be complacent, as chances can be rapidly eliminated by those who are more proactive.