Henry Ford (1863-1947)

Quotes

• There is one rule for the industrialist and that is: Make the best quality of goods possible at the lowest cost possible, paying the highest wages possible.

• Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.

• Whether you believe you can or believe you can't, you're right.

• Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.

• If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. the only real security that a man can have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.

• The question, "Who ought to be boss?" is like asking "Who ought to be the tenor in the quartet?" Obviously, the man who can sing tenor.

• People can have the Model T in any colour--so long as it's black.

• I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can't be done.

• If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.

• If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.

• The highest use of capital is not to make more money, but to make money do more for the betterment of life.

• If you take all the experience and judgment of men over fifty out of the world, there wouldn't be enough left to run it.

• One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do.

• I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about.

• Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and griefs which we endure help us in our marching onward.

• When I can't handle events, I let them handle themselves.

• All Fords are exactly alike, but no two men are just alike. Every new life is a new thing under the sun; there has never been anything just like it before, never will be again. A young man ought to get that idea about himself; he should look for the single spark of individuality that makes him different from other folks, and develop that for all he is worth. Society and schools may try to iron it out of him; their tendency is to put it all in the same mold, but I say don't let that spark be lost; it is your only real claim to importance.

• Any colour - so long as it's black.

• My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.

• Exercise is bunk. If you are healthy, you don't need it; if you are sick, you shouldn't take it.