My notes from Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller
This book along with "House of Morgan" is one of the masterpieces written by Ron Chernow. It took me a month to read this and took notes along the way to come back and re-read them from time to time.
This article does not focus on history of Standard Oil or John D. Rockefeller at work (will have another post about that), but rather his principles and opinions categorized into different bullet points.
Resilience & Stoicism:
“He always possessed an unusual, self-protective capacity to suppress unpleasant memories…”
“He inhabited a stoic universe in which it was considered a sign of strength to banish your cares and forge ahead.”
“He had that sublime self-confidence that speaks with quiet authority.”
“Everybody noted his preternatural calm.”
Work Ethic & Learning:
“He worked hard at everything, not talking much, and studying with great industry.”
“It’s very important to remember what other people tell you, not so much what you already know.”
“He used to repeat the information to himself until he memorized it.”
“Success comes from keeping ears open and mouth closed.”
“His habit of hearing as much as possible and saying as little as possible gained him tactical edge.”
“Many of common people fail to achieve great things because they lack concentration.”
Humility & Simplicity:
“I was glad to see wealthy men who went about their business without any display of power or money.”
“Secret of sensible living is simplicity. He who conquers self is the greatest victor.”
“He grimly sought to simplify his life and reduce his wants.”
Spirituality & Philanthropy:
“He saw religion as a means for moral reformation on earth.”
“For him, an apolitical man, the church narrowed his social life but widened his vision, providing a bridge to larger social concerns and ultimately preparing him for the world of philanthropy.”
“Rockefeller never wavered in his belief that his career was divinely favored.”
“He was convinced that he had god-given talent for making money and he was obligated to develop it.”
“He tended to see a heavenly design in all things and was convinced that the Almighty had buried the oil in the earth for a purpose.”
“If anything can be done to remove the causes which lead to the existence of beggars, then something deeper and broader and more worthwhile will have been accomplished.”
He had one goal when funding Rockefeller institute: “to gather great minds, liberate them from petty cares, allow them work and don’t meddle.”
Ethics & Personal Conduct:
“His father, William Sr. took a dim view of people’s intelligence and didn’t hesitate to exploit their naive trust. One of his goals was to be as different from his father as he could.”
“He was known for his apparent sincerity and honesty of purpose.”
“A boy must ever be careful to avoid the temptations which beset him.”
“A man has no right to occupy another man’s time unnecessarily.”
“Weak men have loose tongues.”
“The man who looked for gratitude, would die bitter.”
“I have lent and given people money, and then seen them cross the street so that they would not have to speak to me.”
Friendship & Support:
“He had no mentors or heroes, he was not only a self-made man, but also self-invented and already had unyielding faith in his own judgment.”
“For all his self-assurance, he needed one associate who would share his daydreams, endorse his plans and stiffen his resolve - Henry Flagler.”
“Flagler had a dictum that friendship founded on business was superior than business founded on friendship.”
“Like Rockefeller, Flagler advocated self-discipline and delayed gratification.”
“Shying away from social predictions… they socialized with a small circle of associates.”
“To be fully revolutionary in business, he needed to be utterly conventional at home.”
Later Life & Well-being:
“As his body aged, his mind became more buoyant.”
“Through biking, he became interested in civil engineering which led to his initial investment in Ford Motor Company.”
“I attribute my good condition to my almost reckless independence in determining for myself what to do and the rigid adhering to regulations which gave me the maximum of rest and quiet and leisure.”
“Part of his single-minded program for reaching one hundred was to go through life in a steady, unhurried fashion.”
“Worry causes more strain upon the nerves than hard work.”