1
The conformist is not born. He is made. I believe the brainwashing process begins in the schools and colleges.J. Paul Getty
2
There is obviously something wrong with our educational system. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that there might even be something wrong with at least some of our schoolteachers. But heaven help anyone daring to express such heretical views.J. Paul Getty
3
In some respects, a society in which the members reach a universal level in which they are anonymous drones by choice is even more frightening than one in which they are forced to be so against their will. When human beings relinquish their individuality and identity of their own volition, they are also relinquishing their claim to being human.J. Paul Getty
4
In my own opinion, the average American's cultural shortcomings can be likened to those of the educated barbarians of ancient Rome. These were barbarians who learned to speak--and often to read and write-- Latin. They acquired Roman habits of dress and deportment. Many of them handily mastered Roman commercial, engineering and military techniques--but they remained barbarians nonetheless. They failed to develop any understanding, appreciation or love for the art and culture of the great civilization around them.J. Paul Getty
5
It has always been my contention that an individual who can be relied upon to be himself and to be honest unto himself can be relied upon in every other way.J. Paul Getty
6
My evanescent anarchistic tendencies are purely classical. I use the word anarchist in the sense in which it was understood by the ancient Greeks. They, of course, accepted the anarchist as a fairly respectable--if somewhat vehement--opponent of government encroachment on the individual's rights to think and act freely. It is in this sense that I glimpse myself as an anarchist--regretting the growth of government and the ever-increasing trend toward regulation and, worst of all, standardization of human activity. .J. Paul Getty
7
The majority is by no means omniscient just because it is the majority. In fact, I've found that the line which divides majority opinion from mass hysteria is often so fine as to be virtually invisible.J. Paul Getty
8
There is, however, hope for any person who wants to remain an individual. He can assert himself and refuse to conform. He'll be on his own, that's true, but while he will not have the security enjoyed by those who do conform, there will be no limits to what he may achieve.J. Paul Getty
9
There are one hundred men seeking security to one able man who is willing to risk his fortune.J. Paul Getty
10
My formula for success is rise early work late and strike oil.J. Paul Getty
11
The meek shall inherit the Earth, but not its mineral rights.J. Paul Getty
12
I buy when other people are selling.J. Paul Getty
13
If you owe the bank $100 that's your problem. If you owe the bank $100 million, that's the bank's problem.J. Paul Getty
14
I hate to be a failure. I hate and regret the failure of my marriages. I would gladly give all my millions for just one lasting marital success.J. Paul Getty
15
A hatred of failure has always been part of my nature.J. Paul Getty
16
My love of fine art increased - the more of it I saw, the more of it I wanted to see.J. Paul Getty
17
Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil.J. Paul Getty
18
In Japan, I was immensely impressed by the politeness, industrious nature and conscientiousness of the Japanese people.J. Paul Getty
19
In times of rapid change, experience could be your worst enemy.J. Paul Getty
20
The employer generally gets the employees he deserves.J. Paul Getty
21
Money is like manure. You have to spread it around or it smells.J. Paul Getty
22
A marriage contract to me is as binding as any in business, and I have always believed in sticking to an agreement.J. Paul Getty
23
I have never been given to envy - save for the envy I feel toward those people who have the ability to make a marriage work and endure happily.J. Paul Getty
24
The beauty one can find in art is one of the pitifully few real and lasting products of human endeavor.J. Paul Getty
25
During the 1950s, Aristotle Onassis and I formed what grew to be a close friendship and association in several business ventures.J. Paul Getty
26
If you can actually count your money, then you're not a rich man.J. Paul Getty
27
If you can count your money, you don't have a billion dollars.J. Paul Getty
28
How does one measure the success of a museum?J. Paul Getty
29
The man who comes up with a means for doing or producing almost anything better, faster or more economically has his future and his fortune at his fingertips.J. Paul Getty