John D. Rockefeller

Oil magnate

Modern influential 103 sayings

Sayings by John D. Rockefeller

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

unknown — Attributed, widely cited
Strange & Unusual Disputed

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

Unknown, likely late 19th or early 20th century — Attributed statement, often quoted when discussing his approach to wealth.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

God gave me my money.

Unknown, early 20th century — Statement made in an interview, reflecting his religious justification for his wealth.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I don't want a nation of thinkers, I want a nation of workers.

Unknown, often cited in discussions of his industrialist philosophy — Widely attributed, though some sources question its earliest documented appearance.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Competition is a sin.

Late 19th or early 20th century — Statement reflecting his view on the business landscape and his drive for consolidation.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

How much money does it take to make a man happy? Just one more dollar.

Unknown — Cynical observation on human desire for wealth.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Homeopathy is a progressive and aggressive step in medicine.

Unknown — Statement revealing his unexpected support for alternative medicine.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have made many millions but they have brought me no happiness.

Unknown — A reflective statement on the limitations of wealth.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

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

Unknown — A somewhat mysterious and confident assertion about his financial strategies.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

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

Unknown — His philosophy on philanthropy, emphasizing self-reliance.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The poorest man I know of is the man who has nothing but money.

Unknown — A paradoxical statement from one of the wealthiest men in history.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

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.

Unknown — His intertwining of religious belief with wealth accumulation and philanthropy.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

After it is all over, the religion of man is his most important possession.

Unknown — A strong statement on the ultimate importance of faith.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

There is nothing in this world that can compare with the Christian fellowship; Nothing that can satisfy but Christ.

Unknown — A deeply personal and spiritual declaration.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I can think of nothing less pleasurable than a life devoted to pleasure.

Unknown — A paradoxical statement on the pursuit of pleasure.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Never lose interest in life and the world. Never allow yourself to become annoyed.

Unknown — Personal advice on maintaining equanimity.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 per week.

Unknown — Recounting his early practice of tithing, highlighting his lifelong religious discipline.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The best business in the world is a well run oil company.

Unknown — A blunt and self-serving, yet characteristic, statement from the founder of Standard Oil.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Late 19th Century — Business philosophy
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Late 19th Century — Investment advice
Strange & Unusual Confirmed