John D. Rockefeller

“Charity is injurious unless it helps the recipient to become independent of it.”

“The secret to success is to do the common things uncommonly well.”

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

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

“I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.”

“A friendship founded on business is better than a business founded on friendship”

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

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

“I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master. 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. I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living and that economy is a prime requisite of a sound financial structure, whether in government, business or personal affairs. I believe that truth and justice are fundamental to an enduring social order. I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man's word should be as good as his bond, that character—not wealth or power or position—is of supreme worth. I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free. I believe in an all-wise and all-loving God, named by whatever name, and that the individual's highest fulfillment, greatest happiness and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His will. I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.”

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

“The ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee. And I will pay more for that ability.”