Portrait of Henry Ford

Henry Ford

Ford Motor Company, assembly line

Modern influential 100 sayings

Sayings by Henry Ford

Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black.

1922 — My Life and Work
Art & Creativity Confirmed

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

Approx. 1920s — Attributed quote, often cited in business contexts
Inspirational Unverifiable

I do not believe in war, because it is an antiquated way of settling differences.

1915 — Interview, often quoted around his 'Peace Ship' initiative
Inspirational Unverifiable

The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.

Approx. 1930s — Attributed quote
Wisdom Unverifiable

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.

Approx. 1920s — Attributed quote, widely cited
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

I am not interested in the past. I am interested in the future.

1922 — My Life and Work
Wisdom Unverifiable

Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.

Approx. 1920s — Attributed quote, widely cited
Wisdom Unverifiable

It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.

Approx. 1920s-1930s — Attributed quote, widely circulated, though exact source is debated
Inspirational Confirmed

If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.

Approx. 1920s — Attributed quote, widely cited
Wisdom Unverifiable

The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.

Approx. 1920s — Attributed quote
Educational Unverifiable

I don't believe in geniuses, I believe in hard work.

Approx. 1920s — Attributed quote
Inspirational Unverifiable

Chasing after money is a endless race. Better to create something that people need and money will follow.

Approx. 1920s — Attributed quote
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

Our working day is eight hours. That does not mean that every minute of the eight hours is spent in work. It means that the man is expected to be on hand eight hours.

1922 — My Life and Work
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

Money is an instrument, not an end.

1922 — My Life and Work
Money & Business Unverifiable

The highest use of capital is not to make more money, but to make money do more for the betterment of life.

Approx. 1920s — Attributed quote
Money & Business Confirmed

There are two things that are more difficult than to get a man to work: to get a man to think, and to get a man to understand that he is not working.

Approx. 1920s — Attributed quote
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.

Approx. 1920s — Attributed quote
Wisdom Unverifiable

Competition is the keen cutting edge of business, always shaving away at the costs.

Approx. 1920s — Attributed quote
Money & Business Unverifiable

I will build a car for the great multitude. It will be large enough for the family but small enough for the individual to run and care for. It will be constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise. But it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one–and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God’s great open spaces.

Approx. 1909 — Statement often attributed to him as his vision for the Model T
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

There can be no freedom without economic freedom.

Approx. 1920s — Attributed quote
Money & Business Unverifiable
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