John D. Rockefeller (1839 – 1937)
American business tycoon, industrialist, and book-keeper, most famous for his role in the early petroleum-industry and the founding of Standard Oil.
The most important thing for a young man is to establish a credit — a reputation, character.
I was early taught to work as well as play,
My life has been one long, happy holiday;
Full of work and full of play —
I dropped the worry on the way —
And God was good to me every day.
If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.
Good management consists of showing average people how to do the work of superior people.
I have ways of making money that you know nothing of.
I believe the power to make money is a gift of God … to be developed and used to the best of our ability for the good of mankind. Having been endowed with the gift I possess, I believe it is my duty to make money and still more money and to use the money I make for the good of my fellow man according to the dictates of my conscience.
It is wrong to assume that men of immense wealth are always happy.
Do you know the only thing that gives me pleasure? It's to see my dividends coming in.
The ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee, and I will pay more for that ability than for any other under the sun.
My mother and father raised but one question: Is it right, is it duty?
I would rather hire a man with enthusiasm, than a man who knows everything.
I don't want a nation of thinkers, I want a nation of workers.
Next to doing the right thing, the most important thing is to let people know you are doing the right thing.
I believe it is a religious duty to get all the money you can, fairly and honestly; to keep all you can, and to give away all you can.
Try to turn every disaster into an opportunity.
I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.
I took responsibility early and, like my parents, I was serious.
I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the waking day to the making of money for money's sake.
The only question with wealth is, what do you do with it?