Bruce Fairchild Barton quotes

Bruce Fairchild Barton was an American author, advertising executive, and politician. As a co-founder of the advertising agency BBDO, he significantly influenced modern advertising and business communication. He also served as a U.S. congressman and gained national recognition for his bestselling book, "The Man Nobody Knows." Here are 42 of his quotes:

Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

Surely no one will consider us lacking in reverence if we say that every one of the "principles of modern salesmanship" on which business men so much pride themselves, are brilliantly exemplified in Jesus' talk and work.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

The American conception of advertising is to arouse desires and stimulate wants, to make people dissatisfied with the old and out-of-date and by constant iteration to send them out to work harder to get the latest model-whether that model be an icebox or a rug or a new home.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

I had never thought of advertising as a life work, though I had on the side, written some very successful copy.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

Much brass has been sounded and many cymbals tinkled in the name of advertising; but the advertisements which persuade people to act are written by men who have an abiding respect for the intelligence of their readers, and a deep sincerity regarding the merits of the goods they have to sell.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

A man may be down, but he is never out.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

It is said that great leaders are born, not made. The saying is true to this degree, that no man can persuade people to do what he wants them to do, unless he genuinely likes people, and believes that what he wants them to do is to their own advantage.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change - this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

If you can give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be Enthusiasm.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

The five steps in teaching an employee new skills are preparation, explanation, showing, observation and supervision.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

Learn their lesson, that if you would teach people you first must capture their interest with news; that your service rather than your sermons must be your claim upon their attention; that what you say must be simple, and brief, and above all sincere - the unmistakable voice of true regard and affection.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

When you're through changing, you're through.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

Conceit is God's gift to little men.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

Most successful men have not achieved their distinction by having some new talent or opportunity that was at hand.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

Jesus picked up twelve men from the bottom ranks of business and forged them into an organisation that conquered the world.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

To every man of vision the clear Voice speaks; there is no great leadership where there is not a mystic. Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside themselves was superior to circumstance. To choose the sure thing is treason to the soul.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

Generalities would have been soon forgotten. But the story that had its roots in everyday human existence and need, lives and will live forever. It condensed the philosophy of Christianity into half a dozen unforgettable paragraphs. The parable of the Good Samaritan is the greatest advertisement of all times.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

Give advertising time. That is the thing that it needs most. The advertising agency is the most precious infant among the professions. Is it fair to expect perfection in a profession that counts only a single generation to its credit? We are learning. I see no reason why advertising agencies, too, should not outlive their founders and the successors of their founders, growing wiser with each generation and gathering a priceless possession of recorded experience.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

The essential element in personal magnetism is a consuming sincerity - an overwhelming faith in the importance of the work one has to do.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

Before you give up hope, turn back and read the attacks that were made on Lincoln.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

It would do the world good if every man would compel himself occasionally to be absolutely alone. Most of the world s progress has come out of such loneliness.

Bruce Fairchild Barton

When you have something for breakfast, you're not going to be starving by lunch.

Bruce Fairchild Barton