Henry Ford

A manufacturer is not through with his customer when a sale is completed. He has then only started with his customer. In the case of an automobile the sale of the machine is only something in the nature of an introduction. If the machine does not give service, then it is better for the manufacturer if he never had the introduction, for he will have the worst of all advertisements-a dissatisfied customer.

There can be no bosses in our country except the people. The job of the government is to serve, not to dominate.

See what a 25-cent raise will do to us, said Mr. Ford. So they figured the daily and monthly cost of a 25-cent increase. Put on another quarter and see what that will cost, he said. And so they went on, 25 cents a step. Finally the wage of $2.34 stood at $4.75–more than 100 percent increase. One of the associates–a good financial head–remarked rather sarcastically that if they were going to be fools, why not be first-class fools and make it $5. All right, said Mr. Ford, let’s make it $5.

Most of the sickness in the world is caused by eating too much.

If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.

Poetry without music may be beautiful, but music gives poetry wings and elevates it into song. That may be the reason for our love of song-it has wings and lifts us; with proper songs, it is a nourishing spiritual exercise.

If you hold a cat by the tail you learn things you cannot learn any other way.

Self-discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

If a dog jumps in your lap, it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing, it is because your lap is warmer.

We are continually faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems.

The basically simple things are best, whether it’s automobiles or diets or philosophy.

I have some wonderful friends from the Mideast that are as red, white and blue as anybody you know, that have been harassed, and I think it’s a terrible, terrible thing.

Anger is nothing more than an outward expression of hurt, fear and frustration.

If the people really set their minds on anything it is impossible to prevent their getting what they want.

I know nothing and my heart aches.

Never trust anyone who wants what you’ve got. Friend or no, envy is an overwhelming emotion.

The less you know, the more you believe.

Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn.

I have dined with kings, I’ve been offered wings. And I’ve never been too impressed.

As parents we’re not nearly as computer literate as our children are.