Money is in some respects life's fire: it is a very excellent servant, but a terrible master.
P. T. BarnumRead
No man has a right to expect to succeed in life unless he understands his business, and nobody can understand his business thoroughly unless he learns it by personal application and experience.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success requires a deep understanding of one's work, gained through personal effort and experience.
P. T. Barnum emphasizes the importance of comprehending one's business to achieve success. He argues that theoretical knowledge is not enough; true mastery comes from hands-on experience and active engagement in one's work, suggesting that effort and personal involvement are essential for true understanding and subsequent success.
Themes
SuccessUnderstandingExperienceBusinessLearning
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech at a business conference.
More from P. T. Barnum
All quotes →The common man, no matter how sharp and tough, actually enjoys having the wool pulled over his eyes, and makes it easier for the puller.
P. T. BarnumRead
True economy consists in always making the income exceed the out-go. Wear the old clothes a little longer if necessary; dispense with the new pair of gloves; mend the old dress: live on plainer food if need be; so that, under all circumstances, unless some unforeseen accident occurs, there will be a margin in favor of the income.
P. T. BarnumRead
No man ever went broke overestimating the ignorance of the American public.
P. T. BarnumRead
I don't care what the newspapers say about me as long as they spell my name right.
P. T. BarnumRead
The desire for wealth is nearly universal, and none can say it is not laudable, provided the possessor of it accepts its responsibilities, and uses it as a friend to humanity.
P. T. BarnumRead
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