Great Throughts Treasury
This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
John D. Rockefeller, fully John Davidson Rockefeller I
American Industrialist, Philanthropist, Richest Man of all time worth $200 billion in 2001 dollars, Founded Standard Oil Company, Revolutionized Petroleum Industry and Defined the Structure of Modern Philanthropy
"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."
"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."
"Charity is injurious unless it helps the recipient to become independent of it."
"A friendship founded on business is better than a business founded on friendship."
"Every right implies a responsibility; Every opportunity, an obligation, Every possession, a duty. "
"Good leadership consists of showing average people how to do the work of superior people."
"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 would rather earn 1% off a 100 people's efforts than 100% of my own efforts. "
"I always tried to turn every disaster into an opportunity. "
"I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living. "
"If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success."
"Singleness of purpose is one of the chief essentials for success in life, no matter what may be one's aim."
"The most important thing for a young man is to establish a credit... a reputation, character. "
"Next to doing the right thing, the most important thing is to let people know you are doing the right thing. "
"I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. "
"The way to make money is to buy when blood is running in the streets. "
"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 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 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. "