Bernard Marcus Quotes

Powerful Bernard Marcus for Daily Growth

About Bernard Marcus

Bernard Marcus (1921-2015) was an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and co-founder of Home Depot, one of the world's largest home improvement retailers. Born on May 20, 1921, in New York City to Russian Jewish immigrants, Marcus showed early signs of business acumen by selling newspapers as a teenager during the Great Depression. His formal education was limited, but he attended night school at Brooklyn Polytechnic and New York University, studying engineering and physics. This technical background would serve him well later in his career. Marcus served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was discharged in 1945 with a Purple Heart. Upon returning home, he began his business career as a flooring salesman, eventually starting his own flooring company, Pioneer Industries. He later founded Marshall's Penney Company, which specialized in hardware products and ultimately led to the creation of Home Depot. In 1978, Marcus partnered with Arthur Blank to co-found Home Depot. Their first store opened in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1979. By the time they took the company public in 1981, it had grown to 26 stores. Today, Home Depot operates more than 2,200 retail stores worldwide. Marcus retired from Home Depot's board of directors in 1984 but remained a significant philanthropist, particularly supporting education and healthcare initiatives in his native state of Georgia. In 1989, he established the Marcus Foundation, which has donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes. Quotes attributed to Bernard Marcus reflect his pragmatic business approach and emphasis on customer service: "The secret of success is to do common things uncommonly well" and "If you take care of your customers, your employees, the profits will follow." These principles guided him throughout his remarkable life and career.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"If you're going through hell, keep going."

This quote suggests that perseverance is crucial even when facing extreme difficulties or challenges, metaphorically referred to as "hell". The message is to not give up, but rather continue moving forward despite the hardships, knowing that overcoming them will ultimately lead to growth, progress, and eventual relief. In other words, tough times don't last, but tough people do.


"Don't be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition."

This quote by Bernard Marcus emphasizes the importance of independence in thought and action, encouraging individuals to avoid conforming blindly to established beliefs or ideas (dogma). He urges people not to let external opinions sway them from listening to their own inner wisdom and following their instincts, particularly when making significant decisions. In essence, it's a call for courage and self-awareness in navigating life.


"I think that the art of being well-off lies not so much in having as in wanting less."

This quote by Bernard Marcus implies a perspective on wealth and happiness, suggesting that true prosperity is more about contentment than accumulation. It proposes that reducing one's desires can lead to a state of well-being, implying that the pursuit of fewer material possessions or less desire for excessive wealth can ultimately bring satisfaction and peace. In essence, Marcus asserts that being wealthy is not only about possessing more but rather about learning to want less, thereby achieving inner contentment.


"Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts."

This quote by Bernard Marcus emphasizes the transient nature of both success and failure. Success should not be seen as a permanent achievement, but rather a momentary triumph that requires continued effort to maintain. Similarly, failure does not equate to total defeat, but serves as an opportunity for growth and learning. Ultimately, what truly matters is courage - the determination, resilience, and bravery to continue striving towards one's goals despite setbacks or obstacles encountered along the way.


"Formula for success: under promise and over deliver. Formula for failure: under deliver and over promise."

This quote by Bernard Marcus emphasizes the importance of setting realistic expectations in both personal and professional relationships. Underpromising sets a lower bar, making it easier to exceed expectations (overdelivering), thereby building trust and goodwill. Conversely, overpromising and underdelivering can lead to disappointment, broken trust, and a damaged reputation. The formula for success, according to Marcus, lies in managing expectations thoughtfully while consistently striving to exceed them.


Nanotechnology in medicine is going to have a major impact on the survival of the human race.

- Bernard Marcus

Race, Going, Major, Nanotechnology

One of the things which make any company successful, in particular the Home Depot, was that we understood and catered to the customer. If it didn't sell, it didn't make a difference what we thought or our research told us. They told us if it was successful by buying it or not.

- Bernard Marcus

Thought, One Of The Things, Make A Difference

I'm basically a dinosaur. I don't use e-mail. But I do recognize the importance of science and the resulting possibilities.

- Bernard Marcus

Science, Possibilities, Use, E-Mail

We could be the biggest pantyhose seller in America, but we don't want to weaken the link in shoppers' minds between Home Depot and do-it-yourself projects.

- Bernard Marcus

Could, Projects, Seller, Do-It-Yourself

People used to believe only a professional could do tiling or install track lighting. That's utter nonsense.

- Bernard Marcus

Used, Could, Utter, Lighting

Kids are wandering around the streets today that will become tomorrow's criminals that were yesterday's heroes.

- Bernard Marcus

Tomorrow, Will, Streets, Criminals

I'm very politically active, but that has nothing to do with my charity.

- Bernard Marcus

Charity, Nothing, Very, Politically

When I understood the rudiments of what nanotech was all about, I knew I wanted to participate.

- Bernard Marcus

Knew, Wanted, About, Participate

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