Activist investor Carl Icahn, chairman of Icahn Enterprises, offers no apologies for his aggressive confrontations with the managements of companies in which he invests.

Warren Buffett, speaking about Icahn to CNBC, said, "Generally you don't get invited on boards if you think you've got a person who actually loves a fight."

Icahn had a ready response. "I agree with a lot of things he says about not getting invited on boards. I don't generally get invited. I get invited back quite a bit, which is interesting," Icahn told CNBC.

Editor's Note: New Warning — Stocks on Verge of Major Collapse

"But you don't get invited to country club either if they think you're going to battle with them. But a board shouldn't be a country club. That's my whole point."

Buffett said he loves Icahn, but that Icahn "may enjoy battle." The man once known as a corporate raider had no problem with that assessment, acknowledging that maybe he does have a "fighting gene."

That's a good thing, Icahn argued. "I think it's very important for our society today that you have guys like me. I mean, that's how societies progress."

To be sure, Icahn isn't always at odds with corporate managers. He praised Apple last month for its most recent stock buyback, which he had urged.

"Agree completely with $AAPL's increased buyback and extremely pleased with results," Icahn tweeted. Of course, he also put a little pressure on the company, adding, "Believe we'll also be happy when we see new products."

Editor's Note: New Warning — Stocks on Verge of Major Collapse

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