J. Paul Getty (1892–1976), once the richest man in the world, was an American industrialist and founder of Getty Oil. Known for his sharp business acumen, Getty left behind more than his fortune, he left wisdom on wealth, success, hard work, and the paradoxes of life. His quotes reveal not only the mindset that built his empire but also the personal philosophies he lived by.
- “If you can actually count your money, then you’re not a rich man.”
- “Money is like manure. You have to spread it around or it smells.”
- “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.”
- “Buy when everyone else is selling and hold until everyone else is buying. That’s not just a catchy slogan. It’s the very essence of successful investing.”
- “I would rather have 1% of the effort of 100 men than 100% of my own effort.”
- “If you owe the bank $100, that’s your problem. If you owe the bank $100 million, that’s the bank’s problem.”
- “The big profits go to those who can combine knowledge with enterprise.”
- “To acquire money requires valor, to keep money requires prudence, and to spend money well is an art.”
- “If you want to make money, really big money, do what nobody else is willing to do.”
- “If you look after the pennies, the dollars will look after themselves.”
- “Rise early, work hard, strike oil.”
- “Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil.”
- “To succeed in business, to reach the top, an individual must know all it is possible to know about that business.”
- “The employer generally gets the employees he deserves.”
- “The man who can manage men manages the men who can manage only things.”
- “Business people must be able to stay one jump ahead of their customers.”
- “I’d rather be lucky than smart, but I try to be both.”
- “Getting results through people is a skill every manager must master.”
- “A man can fail many times, but he isn’t a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.”
- “The best business deals are the ones you don’t make.”
- “You cannot buy happiness.”
- “The meek shall inherit the earth, but not its mineral rights.”
- “Without the element of uncertainty, the bringing off of even the greatest business triumph would be dull, routine, and eminently unsatisfying.”
- “True wealth is not measured in money or property, but in the ability to enjoy life.”
- “If you can count your money, you don’t have a billion dollars.”
- “The employer who treats his workers like human beings will get better results.”
- “The individual who wants to reach the top in business must appreciate the might and force of human nature.”
- “If you want things done, don’t mind who gets the credit.”
- “You can be so cautious that you never risk anything, but then you will never gain anything either.”
- “Patience—never underestimate it. Most people give up too soon.”
- “In times of rapid change, experience could be your worst enemy.”
- “Seek out new opportunities, even if they appear risky.”
- “Great business opportunities are like buses; there’s always another one coming.”
- “A sense of timing is the mark of a genius in business.”
- “The truly dangerous man is he who believes he has nothing left to lose.”
- “Don’t ever be afraid to take calculated risks. That’s the only way to progress.”
- “Opportunities come to those who seek them.”
- “You must take risks, both in life and business, if you want to achieve great things.”
- “Every business deal has two sides—yours and the one you didn’t think of.”
- “Fortune favors the bold, but wisdom keeps the bold from falling.”
J. Paul Getty’s quotes highlight the practical side of making money and managing people including his reflections on life’s deeper truths. His sharp wit and brutally honest observations remind us that while wealth and business matter, true success lies in resilience, timing, and the courage to take risks.
Success doesn’t come easy, but with vision, persistence, and boldness, it’s within reach.
