Who said “I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of…”?

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John D. Rockefeller. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceRandom Reminiscences of Men and Events (1906)

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“I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the waking day to the making of money for money's sake.”
— John D. Rockefeller
VerifiedRandom Reminiscences of Men and Events (1906) · evidenceMoney
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Random Reminiscences of Men and Events (1906).

APA

Rockefeller, J. D. (n.d.). I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the waking day to the making of money for money's sake. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29715-i-know-of-nothing-more-despicable-and-pathetic/

MLA

Rockefeller, John D. “I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the waking day to the making of money for money's sake.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29715-i-know-of-nothing-more-despicable-and-pathetic/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Rockefeller, John D. “I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the waking day to the making of money for money's sake.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29715-i-know-of-nothing-more-despicable-and-pathetic/.

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“Money begets money.”
— Italian Proverb
Original (Italian)

Danari fanno danari

VerifiedRecorded in Cassell's Book of Quotations Proverbs and Household Words: A Collection of Quotations from British and American Authors ..., p. 827 · evidenceDetails & citeMoney
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More quotes by Rockefeller

“Do you know the only thing that gives me pleasure? It's to see my dividends coming in.”
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“If your only goal is to become rich, you will never achieve it.”
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“It is wrong to assume that men of immense wealth are always happy.”
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“I can think of nothing less pleasurable than a life devoted to pleasure.”
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“I would rather earn 1% off a 100 people's efforts than 100% of my own efforts.”
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All 21 John D. Rockefeller quotes →