James B. Duke

"A man's character is defined by what he does when no one is watching."

"I believe that the pursuit of profit should never override the pursuit of principle."

"The Industrial Age has proven that organization and vision can move mountains."

"A person should always strive to be more than what others expect of him."

"The man who gives back to society shows wisdom that money alone cannot buy."

"I have found that gratitude is the most profitable emotion in life and business."

"A reputation once damaged is nearly impossible to restore; protect it always."

"The world needs more men willing to work hard and think clearly."

"I believe that a man's faith should guide his business practices, not contradict them."

"Success is sweeter when shared with those who helped you achieve it."

"A man without ambition is like a ship without a rudder."

"I have learned that the best education comes from experience and reflection."

"The future rewards those who prepare for it with diligence and foresight."

"A society's progress is measured by how it treats its least fortunate members."

"I believe that every man has the capacity for greatness within him."

"The man who stops learning has already begun to decline."

"In my experience, honesty is not just moral—it is profitable."

"A legacy is not what you leave behind in money, but what you leave in hearts."

"I have always maintained that courage is required not just in war, but in commerce."

"The great fortune of a man lies in his ability to recognize opportunity when it presents itself."

"I have always believed that the man who gives the most to his community receives the most in return."

"Education is not merely the acquisition of facts, but the development of the mind to think independently."

"A man's character is best revealed in the way he treats those beneath him in station."

"The foundation of all great enterprises is laid in patience and persistence."

"I learned early that the best investment is in people and their development."

"Wealth without purpose is merely a burden upon the soul."

"The true measure of a man is not what he accumulates, but what he contributes."

"One must never lose sight of the difference between making a fortune and building a legacy."

"I have found that generosity returns to a man tenfold in ways he never anticipated."

"The strength of a nation rests upon the education of its young people."