P.T. Barnum

Showman, circus, hoaxes

Contemporary weird famous 162 sayings

Sayings by P.T. Barnum

The noblest art is that of making others happy.

Late 19th Century — Philosophy on his work.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

To me there is no picture so beautiful as smiling, bright-eyed, happy children; no music so sweet as their clear and ringing laughter.

Late 19th Century — Personal sentiment.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Every man's occupation should be beneficial to his fellow-man as well as profitable to himself. All else is vanity and folly.

c. 1880 — Ethical considerations in business, from 'The Art of Money Getting'.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Politeness and civility are the best capital ever invested in business.

c. 1880 — Business advice, from 'The Art of Money Getting'.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If I shoot at the sun, I may hit a star.

Late 19th Century — Motivational/ambition.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

There is no such thing in the world as luck. There never was a man who could go out in the morning and find a purse full of gold in the street to-day, and another to-morrow, and so on, day after day: He may do so once in his life; but so far as...

c. 1880 — Philosophy on luck vs. effort, from 'The Art of Money Getting'.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He who is without a newspaper is cut off from his species.

c. 1880 — Statement on the importance of information/media, from 'The Art of Money Getting'.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Well, doctor, and do I now act like a 'pink powder puff'?

Late 19th Century — Specific, unusual question, context not fully detailed in snippet.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I am a showman by profession...and all the gilding shall show, but the solid gold will never wear off.

1869 — From his autobiography, 'Struggles and Triumphs'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

There's a sucker born every minute.

1860s-1880s (approx) — Widely attributed, though its exact origin and whether he said it is debated. Often found in anecdot…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant.

1880 — From his book, 'The Art of Money Getting'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The public is a very strange animal, and it is very difficult to catch it by the tail.

1860s-1880s (approx) — Reported observation on public opinion and marketing
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Clowns are the pegs on which the circus is hung.

1870s (approx) — Observation about the role of clowns in his shows
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The cheapest of all things is to be mean and stingy.

1880 — From his book, 'The Art of Money Getting'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The great art of money-getting consists in knowing how to attract the public by some novel and original device.

1880 — From his book, 'The Art of Money Getting'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don't believe in humbug; I believe in advertising.

1860s-1880s (approx) — Reported statement, clarifying his approach to publicity
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The best thing about money is that it can buy you time.

1870s-1880s (approx) — Reported personal philosophy
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.

1860s-1880s (approx) — Widely attributed, though its exact origin and whether he said it is debated. Often found in anecdot…
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The show must go on!

1870s-1880s (approx) — Widely attributed, a common theatrical saying, but strongly associated with his ethos.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

To be a successful showman, you must always be a little ahead of your audience.

1860s-1880s (approx) — Reported advice on showmanship
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable