John D. Rockefeller quotes

John D. Rockefeller was an American industrialist and philanthropist, widely regarded as the wealthiest person in modern history. Founder of the Standard Oil Company, he played a key role in shaping the oil industry and corporate America. He devoted much of his later life to charitable work, establishing influential foundations for education, science, and public health. Here are 44 of his quotes:

Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.

John D. Rockefeller

If your only goal is to become rich, you will never achieve it.

John D. Rockefeller

Try to turn every disaster into an opportunity.

John D. Rockefeller

I would rather hire a man with enthusiasm, than a man who knows everything.

John D. Rockefeller

If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.

John D. Rockefeller

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

John D. Rockefeller

The way to make money is to buy when blood is running in the streets.

John D. Rockefeller

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.

John D. Rockefeller

I would rather earn 1% off a 100 people's efforts than 100% of my own efforts.

John D. Rockefeller

I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.

John D. Rockefeller

It is wrong to assume that men of immense wealth are always happy.

John D. Rockefeller

Next to doing the right thing, the most important thing is to let people know you are doing the right thing.

John D. Rockefeller

I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance.

John D. Rockefeller

Do you know the only thing that gives me pleasure? It's to see my dividends coming in.

John D. Rockefeller

I have ways of making money that you know nothing of.

John D. Rockefeller

The most important thing for a young man is to establish a credit - a reputation, character.

John D. Rockefeller

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.

John D. Rockefeller

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 everyday.

John D. Rockefeller

Let the good work go on. We must ever remember we are refining oil for the poor man and he must have it cheap and good.

John D. Rockefeller

The impression was gaining ground with me that it was a good thing to let the money be my slave and not make myself a slave to money.

John D. Rockefeller

God gave me my money.

John D. Rockefeller

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.

John D. Rockefeller