Great Throughts Treasury

This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.

J. Paul Getty, fully Jean Paul Getty

American Industrialist, Oil Magnate, Founder Getty Oil Company

"No one can possibly achieve any real and lasting success or get rich in business by being a conformist."

"There are one hundred men seeking security to one able man who is willing to risk his fortune."

"I have no complex about wealth. I have worked hard for my money, producing things people need. I believe that the able industrial leader who creates wealth and employment is more worthy of historical notice than politicians or soldiers."

"To succeed in a business, to reach the top, an individual must know all it is possible to know about that business."

"The man who comes up with a means of doing or producing almost anything better, faster, or more economically has his future and his fortune at his fingertips."

"I buy when other people are selling. "

"If you owe the bank $100 that's your problem. If you owe the bank $100 million, that's the bank's problem."

"In times of rapid change, experience could be your worst enemy. "

"The meek shall inherit the Earth, but not its mineral rights. "

"I'd rather have one percent of the efforts of 100 people than 100 percent of my own efforts."

"People who don’t respect money don’t have any."