B. C. Forbes Quotes

Powerful B. C. Forbes for Daily Growth

About B. C. Forbes

B.C. Forbes (Benjamin Coleman Forbes), born on June 17, 1880, in Boston, Massachusetts, was an influential American journalist, publisher, and founder of the financial magazine, Forbes. Known for his business acumen, Forbes left a lasting impact on the financial world with his insightful quotes and astute observations. Forbes's early life was marked by an interest in journalism. He worked as a reporter for the Boston Evening Transcript before moving to New York City in 1905, where he joined the staff of the National Commercial and Financial Chronicle. In 1917, he co-founded the magazine 'Forbes' with his brother Malcolm Forbes. The magazine focused on covering the people behind the big businesses, making it a unique voice among financial publications at the time. Throughout his career, B.C. Forbes penned numerous articles and books that offered advice on investing, entrepreneurship, and economic trends. His works include 'How to Make Money in Stocks' (1923), 'Capital and Finance' (1930), and 'Rich, Young and Rash: Being a Study of Certain American Millionaires under Thirty' (1926). Forbes was also known for his wit and wisdom, exemplified by quotes such as "The art of being rich lies in its worship. The zest of making money is in the making." His influence extended beyond finance, impacting popular culture with his ability to simplify complex economic concepts into digestible insights. B.C. Forbes passed away on November 19, 1954, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire business leaders and financiers worldwide. His magazine, Forbes, has grown from a small publication to an international powerhouse in financial journalism, carrying forward his vision and values.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Success is a stepping stone to a yet more significant undertaking."

This quote implies that success, while it is an achievement in itself, serves as a catalyst for further growth and ambition. It suggests that one should not rest on their laurels, but instead use their accomplishments as a foundation to pursue even greater challenges and endeavors, ultimately leading to continued personal development and fulfillment.


"He who will waste one hour of time has no right to save a minute."

This quote by B.C. Forbes underscores the importance of efficient use of time. It suggests that if someone is careless with their time, wasting an hour, then they have no claim or justification for saving even a minute later on. In essence, it's a call to action for people to prioritize and respect their own time.


"Do not be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again."

This quote emphasizes that failure is an essential part of growth and learning. It encourages individuals to view their mistakes not as sources of embarrassment or shame, but as opportunities for education and self-improvement. The message implies that one should use past failures as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks in their journey towards success. In other words, the wisdom lies in acknowledging failure's role in personal development, learning from it, and moving forward with renewed determination.


"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him."

The quote emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and the ability to transform adversity into success. A "successful man" in this context isn't just someone who achieves great things, but someone who can convert setbacks (symbolized by the bricks others throw) into building blocks for their own foundation of success. It suggests that overcoming obstacles and turning negative circumstances into positive outcomes is a crucial aspect of achieving true success.


"It takes practical sense rather than elaborate theory to run a business."

The quote by B.C. Forbes suggests that successful business operations are more dependent on common sense and practical understanding than they are on complex theories or academic knowledge. It emphasizes the importance of grounded, hands-on experience in managing a company effectively, as opposed to relying solely on theoretical concepts or high-level strategies. This perspective highlights the value of real-world problem-solving skills over abstract ideas when it comes to running and growing a business.


There is more credit and satisfaction in being a first-rate truck driver than a tenth-rate executive.

- B. C. Forbes

Driver, Executive, Truck Driver

Golf without bunkers and hazards would be tame and monotonous. So would life.

- B. C. Forbes

Golf, Hazards, Would, Tame

He who has faith has... an inward reservoir of courage, hope, confidence, calmness, and assuring trust that all will come out well - even though to the world it may appear to come out most badly.

- B. C. Forbes

Faith, Trust, Badly, Inward

Better to be occasionally cheated than perpetually suspicious.

- B. C. Forbes

Better, Than, Perpetually, Suspicious

A shady business never yields a sunny life.

- B. C. Forbes

Business, Never, Yields, Shady

History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.

- B. C. Forbes

Winners, Heartbreaking, Discouraged

Work is the meat of life, pleasure the dessert.

- B. C. Forbes

Work, Meat, Pleasure, Dessert

Christmas is a tonic for our souls. It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves. It directs our thoughts to giving.

- B. C. Forbes

Thoughts, Think, Christmas, Tonic

Difficulties should act as a tonic. They should spur us to greater exertion.

- B. C. Forbes

Difficulties, Act, Should, Tonic

The truth doesn't hurt unless it ought to.

- B. C. Forbes

Truth, Hurt, Unless, Ought

Turn resolutely to work, to recreation, or in any case to physical exercise till you are so tired you can't help going to sleep, and when you wake up you won't want to worry.

- B. C. Forbes

Worry, Going, Till, Case

A business like an automobile, has to be driven, in order to get results.

- B. C. Forbes

Business, Automobile, Like, Order

Many a man thinks he is patient when, in reality, he is indifferent.

- B. C. Forbes

Man, Reality, Patient, Indifferent

The man who is intent on making the most of his opportunities is too busy to bother about luck.

- B. C. Forbes

Chance, Making, Most, Intent

It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the Spring, who reaps a harvest in the Autumn.

- B. C. Forbes

Gardening, Harvest, Spring, Autumn

To make headway, improve your head.

- B. C. Forbes

Improve, Head, Your, Headway

The bargain that yields mutual satisfaction is the only one that is apt to be repeated.

- B. C. Forbes

Only, Mutual, Apt, Yields

He best keeps from anger who remembers that God is always looking upon him.

- B. C. Forbes

Anger, Always, Remembers, Keeps

Jealousy... is a mental cancer.

- B. C. Forbes

Jealousy, Mental, Cancer

If you don't drive your business, you will be driven out of business.

- B. C. Forbes

Business, Will, Your, Driven

The man who has won millions at the cost of his conscience is a failure.

- B. C. Forbes

Conscience, Cost, His, Millions

Books are like a mirror. If an ass looks in, you can't expect an angel to look out.

- B. C. Forbes

Mirror, Look, Like, Angel

Real riches are the riches possessed inside.

- B. C. Forbes

Money, Real, Possessed, Riches

The man who has done his level best... is a success, even though the world may write him down a failure.

- B. C. Forbes

Success, Level, May, Though

What you have outside you counts less than what you have inside you.

- B. C. Forbes

Outside, Less, Than, Counts

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