David Rockefeller

Only once in my life was I on the edge of incivility.

Mother’s interest in contemporary American artists emerged during the 1920s.

I am convinced that material things can contribute a lot to making one’s life pleasant, but, basically, if you do not have very good friends and relatives who matter to you, life will be really empty and sad and material things cease to be important.

As children we recognized that we belonged to an unusual, even exceptional, family, but the effect was different on each of us.

Money can add very much to one’s ability to lead a constructive life, not only pleasant for oneself, but, hopefully, beneficial to others.

Much corporate giving is charitable in nature rather than philanthropic.

My grandfather, along with Carnegie, was a pioneer in philanthropy, which my father then practiced on a very large scale.

Abramovich’s got six yachts which are just gigantic and you think, ‘What a waste of money. He could transform so many people’s lives if he put that money to good use.

very day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I’m not there, I go to work.

No man’s fortune can be an end worthy of his being.

He is richest who is content with the least.

90% of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.

I am convinced that material things can contribute a lot to making one’s life pleasant, but, basically, if you do not have very good friends and relatives who matter to you, life will be really empty and sad and material things cease to be important.

Riches are a good hand maiden, but a poor mistress.

The Japanese banks are not having an easy time as they once had.

I would be a billionaire if I was looking to be a selfish boss. That’s not me.

The only wealth I have to give is not material and if you need much more than that, I’m not available.

Guilt for being rich, and guilt thinking that perhaps love and peace isn’t enough and you have to go and get shot or something.

When you have a lot of resources, the most important thing is to have had good parents and to have been brought up by people who gave one the proper values.

I always knew I was going to be rich. I don’t think I ever doubted it for a minute.

Much corporate giving is charitable in nature rather than philanthropic.