John D. Rockefeller

I know of nothing more despicable than a man who does not honestly pay his debts.

I never saw a man who could do real work except under the stimulus of encouragement.

I have never met a man who was so ignorant that I couldn’t learn something from him.

The most important thing in the world is to keep your word.

The only thing that is worse than being talked about is not being talked about.

I would rather have a million enemies outside my business than one inside.

The man who starts out with the idea of getting rich won’t succeed; you must have a larger ambition.

I have always been afraid of banks.

The best business is a monopoly.

I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living, but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.

The only question with wealth is, what are you going to do with it?

Perseverance can be learned.

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.

Every right implies a responsibility; Every opportunity, an obligation; Every possession, a duty.

The common denominator for success is hard work.

The humblest of men can do a great deal more than he thinks he can.

I have no desire to make a great display. I want to save money.

The only thing that matters is getting the job done.

Good management consists in showing average people how to do the work of superior people.

The greatest good for the greatest number.