#324 John D. Rockefeller (38 Letters Rockefeller Wrote to His Son)

3860 snips

Oct 21, 2023

Explore the powerful letters John D. Rockefeller penned to his son, revealing his fierce approach to competition and life. Discover his belief that adversity shapes destiny and that true success results from resilience and determination. The discussion highlights lessons from historical figures, emphasizing the importance of hard work over inherited wealth. Dive into the intense rivalry with the Pennsylvania Railroad and uncover vital insights on leadership, personal accountability, and the necessity of a positive mindset in overcoming challenges.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Rockefeller vs. Benson

Rockefeller recounts a story about Mr. Benson, a rival oilman, who challenged his control over the industry.
Despite multiple tactics, Rockefeller ultimately won, highlighting his ruthless approach to competition.

ADVICE

Parental Influence vs. Self-Determination

Strive to create a better life for your children, as parental status often influences a child's starting point.
However, our destiny is ultimately determined by our actions, not our origins.

INSIGHT

Self-Belief Before Ability

Rockefeller's relentless self-belief fueled his success, despite a difficult childhood.
This belief came before ability, highlighting the importance of mindset in achieving greatness.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

The 38 Letters from J.D. Rockefeller to His Son

Perspectives, Ideology, and Wisdom

John D. Rockefeller

This book provides an intimate and profound glimpse into the life and mind of John D. Rockefeller through 38 letters he wrote to his son, John D. Rockefeller Jr., over several decades. The letters cover a wide range of topics including business, philanthropy, leadership, ethics, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. Rockefeller shares his personal experiences, successes, and failures, imparting valuable lessons on hard work, integrity, and the importance of taking risks. The letters are accompanied by insightful commentary and analysis, providing historical context and highlighting their impact on his son's life and the broader world.

The Mind of Napoleon: A Selection of His Written and Spoken Words

Napoleon

J. Christopher Herold

This book is a collection of quotes, letters, and other writings from Napoleon Bonaparte, arranged topically to reveal his views on a wide range of subjects. It provides a unique perspective on Napoleon's mind, showcasing his thoughts on politics, war, human nature, and more. The compilation highlights his strategic thinking, philosophical insights, and personal reflections, making it a valuable resource for understanding one of history's most enigmatic leaders[1][4][5].

Hero of the empire

The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill

Candice Millard

This book by Candice Millard chronicles Winston Churchill's experiences during the Boer War, focusing on his capture by the Boers, his imprisonment in Pretoria, and his remarkable escape. The narrative also explores how these events shaped Churchill's future, including his return to the battle and his subsequent rise in politics. The book is praised for its engaging and meticulously researched storytelling, bringing to life historical figures like Rudyard Kipling, Lord Kitchener, and Mohandas Gandhi, and providing a detailed history of the Boer War and its context.

Alexander the Great

The Brief Life and Towering Exploits of History's Greatest Conqueror--As Told By His Original Biographers

Plutarch

Quintus Curtius Rufus

Arrian

Michael Wood

This book presents a comprehensive biography of Alexander the Great, drawing from the works of three ancient biographers: Arrian, Plutarch, and Quintus Curtius Rufus. Edited by Tania Gergel, the narrative spans Alexander's life from his princely boyhood to his death, covering his conquests and the expansion of his empire from Greece to India. The introduction by Michael Wood highlights Alexander's enduring legacy and provides context for the historical accounts.

What I learned from reading The 38 Letters from J.D. Rockefeller to His Son by John D. Rockefeller.

----

Get access to the World’s Most Valuable Notebook for Founders by investing in a subscription to Founders Notes

----

(5:00) My Influence had been extended to all corners of the oil industry. If I say that I have the power of life and death over oil producers and oil refiners, that is not a lie. I can make them wealthy or I can make them worthless.

(7:25) I never thought I would lose. As far as my nature is concerned, I do not meet competition. I destroy competitors.

(8:30) Retreat means surrender. Retreat will turn you into a slave. The war is inevitable. Let it come.

(9:00) Bring a steel like determination to face all kinds of challenges.

(13:45) I firmly believe that our destiny is determined by our actions and not by our origins.

(15:45) Alexander the Great: The Brief Life and Towering Exploits of History's Greatest Conqueror--As Told By His Original Biographers by Arrian, Plutarch, and Quintus Curtius Rufus. (Founders #232)

(21:00) The glory and success of the family cannot guarantee the future of a children and grandchildren.

(22:30) People of poor backgrounds will actively develop their abilities while also seizing various opportunities because they urgently need to rescue themselves.

(26:00) Luck is the remnant of design luck is the remnant of design. — Cyrus McCormick

(27:30) Rockefeller explains to his son, in writing, exactly what he was: A conqueror.

(28:00) Everyone is a designer and architect of his own destiny.

(29:00) If you do everything you will win: All great events hang by a single thread. The clever man takes advantage of everything, neglects nothing that may give him some added opportunity; the less clever man, by neglecting one thing, sometimes misses everything. — The Mind of Napoleon: A Selection of His Written and Spoken Words edited by J. Christopher Herold. (Founders #302)

(32:00) Visionary businessmen are always good at finding opportunities in every disaster. And that is how I did it.

(36:00) Anything can happen in this world.

(38:30) People who climb up in any industry are fully committed to what they are doing. They sincerely love the work that they do. If you sincerely love the work that you do you will naturally succeed.

(41:00) Do it now. Opportunity comes from opportunity.

(42:00) Action solves everything.

(42:00) Always more audacity. — Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill by Candice Millard. (Founders #319)

(43:00) So at this time we’d better push it. We’d better push it.

(43:00) Smart people make things happen.

(46:00) Life is an opportunity at a time.

(48:00) Get rid of the habit of being distracted.

(54:00) No one in the world leads a smooth life.

(58:00) Too many people overestimate what they lack and underestimate what they have.

(58:00) You cannot sharpen your razor on velvet. — Abraham Lincoln

(59:00) When I was a poor boy I was confident that I would become the richest person in the world. Strong self confidence inspired me.

(59:00) I never believed that failure is the mother of success. I believe that faith is the father of success. Victory is a habit.

(59:00) Believing that there will be great results is the driving force behind all great careers.

(1:06:00) A story about Rockefeller’s ruthless competitive drive.

(1:07:00) My nature never wears off. What I like is the good feeling of victory.

(1:09:00) The people who can get ahead in the world are those who know how to find their ideal environment. If they cannot find it, they will create it themselves.

(1:16:00) Enthusiasm is a force multiplier to everything.

(1:16:00) The outcome of things is often proportional to our enthusiasm.

(1:18:00) I think carefully prepared plans and actions are called luck. I never succumb to luck, I believe in cause and effect.

(1:18:00) Ask yourself: Am I using my mind to create history?

(1:18:00) I never succumb to luck, I believe in cause and effect.

(1:18:00) In the process for pursuing career success the most important step is to prevent yourself from making excuses.

(1:19:00) The important thing is that you firmly believe that you are your greatest capital.

(1:19:00) Faith [in yourself] is the force that must drive you forward.

(1:20:00) No American has completely changed the American way of life like Henry Ford did. He has turned the car from a luxury into a necessity that everyone can afford.

(1:23:00) I told myself, I warned myself. You must hold onto this tightly. It can bring you to the realm of your dreams.

(1:26:00) Of course I paid a high price, but what I won was freedom and a glorious future. I became my own master.

(1:32:00) The end is just the beginning. — Andrew Carnegie

(1:33:00) Look at those who fail, and you will find that most people fail not because they make mistakes, but because they are not fully committed. The same goes for companies.

(1:35:00) The person who can create value the most is the person who devotes himself completely to his favorite activities.

(1:36:00) Match people by their enthusiasm.

(1:38:00) THE ROCKEFELLER EPISODES:

#307 The World's Great Family Dynasties

#254 John D. Rockefeller: The Founding Father of the Rockefellers

#248 John D Rockefeller (Titan)

#247 Henry Flagler (Rockefeller's partner)

#148 John D. Rockefeller's Autobiography

#16 John D. Rockefeller (Titan)

----

Get access to the World’s Most Valuable Notebook for Founders by investing in a subscription to Founders Notes

----

“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested, so my poor wallet suffers.” — Gareth

Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast

----

Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.

----

Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast