John D. Rockefeller's Timeline: Life, Photos, and Key Events

" The impression was gaining ground with me that it was a good thing to let the money be my slave and not make myself a slave to money."

" It is wrong to assume that men of immense wealth are always happy."

"I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the waking day to the making of money for moneys sake."

" God gave me my money."

" The most important thing for a young man is to establish a credit — a reputation, character."

" I was early taught to work as well as play, My life has been one long, happy holiday; Full of work and full of play — I dropped the worry on the way — And God was good to me every day."

" 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."

" I believe the power to make money is a gift of God … to be developed and used to the best of our ability for the good of mankind. Having been endowed with the gift I possess, I believe it is my duty to make money and still more money and to use the money I make for the good of my fellow man according to the dictates of my conscience."

" The ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee, and I will pay more for that ability than for any other under the sun."