J.P. Morgan

Banking magnate

Modern influential 132 sayings

Sayings by J.P. Morgan

The man who is too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic who is too busy to take care of his tools.

Early 20th Century — Attributed
Humorous Unverifiable

The trouble with most people is that they think with their hopes or fears or wishes instead of with their minds.

Early 20th Century — Attributed
Humorous Unverifiable

I am not a money lender, I am a money maker.

Early 20th Century — Attributed, distinguishing his role from simple moneylending
Humorous Unverifiable

There are two reasons why a man does anything. One is a good reason; the other is the real reason.

Early 20th Century — A slightly different phrasing of a previously listed quote, common attribution.
Humorous Unverifiable

If you want to be successful, you have to be willing to do things that others aren't.

Early 20th Century — Attributed
Humorous Unverifiable

I pay no man to think for me.

Early 20th Century — Attributed, reflecting his independent and decisive nature.
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.

Uncertain — Often attributed to Michelangelo, its attribution to J.P. Morgan is less common and less certain.
Humorous Unverifiable

I am not interested in what a man thinks, but what he does.

Early 20th Century — Attributed
Humorous Unverifiable

I always buy good things and hold them until they go up.

Early 20th Century — Attributed, a simple investment philosophy.
Humorous Unverifiable

The world is not governed by the laws of logic, but by the laws of human nature.

Early 20th Century — Attributed
Humorous Unverifiable

I can hire half of the working men in America to kill the other half.

Late 19th or Early 20th Century — Allegedly said, though often cited as an extreme example of his perceived power and ruthlessness. Ex…
Humorous Unverifiable

I don't think it's a good idea to borrow money to buy stocks.

Early 20th Century — Attributed, a cautious investment principle.
Humorous Unverifiable

I have a lot of money, but I don't have a lot of time.

Early 20th Century — Attributed
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest mistake in life is to be continually fearing that you will make one.

Early 20th Century — Attributed, encouraging decisive action.
Humorous Unverifiable

I would rather have a man who is honest and capable than one who is merely capable.

Early 20th Century — Attributed, emphasizing integrity.
Humorous Unverifiable

The man who does not work for his living is an idler.

Early 20th Century — Attributed, reflecting a strong work ethic.
Humorous Unverifiable

I don't propose to go to bed with a lot of people.

Early 20th Century — Reported as his reaction to the idea of sharing information or control with many individuals, possib…
Humorous Unverifiable

I have to do something with my money.

Early 20th Century — Allegedly said in justification of his vast art collecting, implying it was a necessary outlet for h…
Humorous Unverifiable

When you have to deal with a man, you have to deal with him as he is, not as you would like him to be.

Early 20th Century — Attributed, a pragmatic approach to human relations.
Humorous Unverifiable

I can buy out any man in America.

Late 19th or Early 20th Century — Allegedly said, though the exact context and verification are difficult. Reflects his immense financ…
Humorous Unverifiable