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Home > Dictionary of Science Quotations > Scientist Names Index R > John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Quotes

John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
(29 Jan 1874 - 11 May 1960)

American financier and philanthropist who was the only son of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller Sr. After a college education, he joined his father’s business as director of Standard Oil from Oct 1897.

Science Quotes by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (8 quotes)

If you hope to make a success of life you must be willing to do whatever comes your way to the best of your ability.
— John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
From address to the Brown University YMCA, as quoted in 'Young Rockefeller: Defending Trusts, Uses American Beauty Similitude,' Cincinnati Enquirer (9 Feb 1902), 4, citing the New York Journal.
Science quotes on:  |  Ability (162)  |  Best (467)  |  Do (1905)  |  Hope (321)  |  Life (1870)  |  Must (1525)  |  Success (327)  |  Way (1214)  |  Whatever (234)  |  Willing (44)

It is no crime to accumulate wealth, provided it was attained by honest and proper means, but it is a crime to devote it to an improper use.
— John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
As quoted in Edward J. Wheeler (ed.), 'The Demeanor of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Under Fire,' Current Opinion (Jul 1914), 57, No. 1, 21. This quote was one out of a collation in the article, “from his many talks to the Bible Class he formerly conducted and from various interviews.”
Science quotes on:  |  Accumulate (30)  |  Attain (126)  |  Crime (39)  |  Honest (53)  |  Improper (3)  |  Mean (810)  |  Means (587)  |  Proper (150)  |  Use (771)  |  Wealth (100)

Success comes by doing the common, every-day things of life uncommonly well.
— John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
As quoted in Edward J. Wheeler (ed.), 'The Demeanor of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Under Fire,' Current Opinion (Jul 1914), 57, No. 1, 21. This quote was one out of a collation in the article, “from his many talks to the Bible Class he formerly conducted and from various interviews.”
Science quotes on:  |  Common (447)  |  Doing (277)  |  Everyday (32)  |  Life (1870)  |  Success (327)  |  Thing (1914)

The chief thing in life is to do something—to work.
— John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
As quoted in Edward J. Wheeler (ed.), 'The Demeanor of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Under Fire,' Current Opinion (Jul 1914), 57, No. 1, 21. This quote was one out of a collation in the article, “from his many talks to the Bible Class he formerly conducted and from various interviews.”
Science quotes on:  |  Chief (99)  |  Do (1905)  |  Life (1870)  |  Something (718)  |  Thing (1914)  |  Work (1402)

The growth of a large business is merely a survival of the fittest. … The American Beauty rose can be produced in the splendor and fragrance which bring cheer to its beholder only by sacrificing the early buds which grow up around it. This is not an evil tendency in business. It is merely the working-out of a law of nature and a law of God.
— John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
From address to the Brown University YMCA, as quoted in 'Young Rockefeller: Defending Trusts, Uses American Beauty Similitude,' Cincinnati Enquirer (9 Feb 1902), 4, citing the New York Journal.
Science quotes on:  |  Beauty (313)  |  Business (156)  |  Darwinism (3)  |  Early (196)  |  Evil (122)  |  God (776)  |  Grow (247)  |  Growth (200)  |  Large (398)  |  Law (913)  |  Law Of Nature (80)  |  Merely (315)  |  Nature (2017)  |  Produced (187)  |  Rose (36)  |  Splendor (20)  |  Survival (105)  |  Survival Of The Fittest (43)  |  Tendency (110)

The man or corporation who has not determined at the outset to do good to others while doing good to himself will fail in the end.
— John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
As quoted in Edward J. Wheeler (ed.), 'The Demeanor of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Under Fire,' Current Opinion (Jul 1914), 57, No. 1, 21. This quote was one out of a collation in the article, “from his many talks to the Bible Class he formerly conducted and from various interviews.”
Science quotes on:  |  Corporation (6)  |  Determine (152)  |  Do (1905)  |  Doing (277)  |  End (603)  |  Fail (191)  |  Good (906)  |  Himself (461)  |  Man (2252)  |  Other (2233)  |  Outset (7)  |  Will (2350)

The moral order of the universe will be maintained regardless of the individual power of any man.
— John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
As quoted in Edward J. Wheeler (ed.), 'The Demeanor of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Under Fire,' Current Opinion (Jul 1914), 57, No. 1, 21. This quote was one out of a collation in the article, “from his many talks to the Bible Class he formerly conducted and from various interviews.”
Science quotes on:  |  Individual (420)  |  Maintain (105)  |  Man (2252)  |  Moral (203)  |  Order (638)  |  Power (771)  |  Universe (900)  |  Will (2350)

There are three chief requisites for a successful business man. The first is honesty—absolute honesty … the second … is industry … [and] perseverance is the third.
— John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
From address to the Brown University YMCA, as quoted in 'Young Rockefeller: Defending Trusts, Uses American Beauty Similitude,' Cincinnati Enquirer (9 Feb 1902), 4, citing the New York Journal.
Science quotes on:  |  Absolute (153)  |  Business (156)  |  Businessman (4)  |  Chief (99)  |  First (1302)  |  Honesty (29)  |  Industry (159)  |  Man (2252)  |  Perseverance (24)  |  Requisite (12)  |  Successful (134)


Carl Sagan Thumbnail In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion. (1987) -- Carl Sagan
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