Phineas Taylor Barnum, a.k.a. P.T. Barnum was one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the mid 1800’s. Known for his creative marketing, attention grabbing publicity stunts, and shrewd business sense, many people to this day still consider him the greatest showman of all-times. So, considering P.T. Barnum was one of the first self-made millionaires in early America, published multiple books, and left a legacy that still persists to this day, we’ve decided to showcase some of his wisest words on making money and finding success via our collection of P.T. Barnum Quotes.
So, if you’re looking to find some diamonds when it comes to success insights, and just all around great advice on how to live one’s best life, then you’ll enjoy these inspiring P.T. Barnum quotes. Let’s dive in shall we?
Best P.T. Barnum Quotes on Success
1. “I fully believe that if you faithfully follow my methods you cannot fail.” – P.T. Barnum
2. “Those who really desire to attain independence, have only to set their minds upon it, and adopt the proper means, as they do in regard to any other object which they wish to accomplish, and the thing is easily done.” – P.T. Barnum
3. “In the United States, where we have more land than people, it is not at all difficult for persons in good health to make money.” – P.T. Barnum
4. “A penny here, and a dollar there, placed at interest, goes on accumulating, and in this way the desired result is attained. It requires some training, perhaps, to accomplish this economy, but when once used to it, you will find there is more satisfaction in rational saving, than in irrational spending.” – P.T. Barnum
5. “True economy consists in always making the income exceed the out-go.” – P.T. Barnum
6. “We are all, no doubt, born for a wise purpose.” – P.T. Barnum
7. “People ought to be as sensible on the subject of Money Getting as on any other subject. Like causes produce like effects. You cannot accumulate a fortune by taking the road that leads to poverty.” – P.T. Barnum
8. “Prosperity is a more severe ordeal than adversity, especially sudden prosperity. “Easy come, easy go,” is an old and true proverb.” – P.T. Barnum
9. “Many persons, as they begin to prosper, immediately expand their ideas and commence spending for luxuries, until in a short time their expenses swallow up their income, and they become ruined in their ridiculous attempts to keep up appearances, and make a “sensation”.” – P.T. Barnum
10. “The foundation of success in life is good health; that is the substratum of fortune; it is also the basis of happiness.” – P.T. Barnum
11. “A person cannot accumulate a fortune very well when he is sick. He has no ambition; no incentive; no force.” – P.T. Barnum
12. “If, then, sound health is the foundation of success and happiness in life, how important it is that we should study the laws of health, which is but another expression for the laws of nature!” – P.T. Barnum
13. “We ought to know that the “sin of ignorance” is never winked at in regard to the violation of nature’s laws; their infraction always brings the penalty.” – P.T. Barnum
14. “DON’T MISTAKE YOUR VOCATION. – The safest plan, and the one most sure of success for the young man starting in life, is to select the vocation which is most congenial to his tastes.” – P.T. Barnum
15. “Unless a man enters upon the vocation intended for him by nature, and best suited to his peculiar genius, he cannot succeed.” – P.T. Barnum
16. “In this country, where we believe the majority ought to rule, we ignore that principle in regard to fashion, and let a handful of people, calling themselves the aristocracy, run up a false standard of perfection, and in endeavoring to rise to that standard, we constantly keep ourselves poor; all the time digging away for the sake of outside appearance.” – P.T. Barnum
17. “Debt robs a man of his self-respect, and makes him almost despise himself.” – P.T. Barnum
18. “Money is in some respects like fire – it is a very excellent servant but a terrible master. When you have it mastering you, when interest is constantly piling up against you, it will keep you down in the worst kind of slavery. But let money work for you, and you have the most devoted servant in the world.” – P.T. Barnum
19. “It is , no doubt, often true, as Shakespeare says: “There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.”” – P.T. Barnum
20. “If you hesitate, some bolder hand will stretch out before you and get the prize.” – P.T. Barnum
21. “Remember the proverb of Solomon: “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” – P.T. Barnum
22. “Perseverance is sometimes but another word for self-reliance.” – P.T. Barnum
23. “A man acquires a fortune by doing his business thoroughly, while his neighbor remains poor for life because he only half does it.” – P.T. Barnum
24. “WHATEVER YOU DO, DO WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT. ― Work at it, if necessary, early and lat, in season and out of season, not leaving a stone unturned, and never deferring for a single hour that which can be done just as well now.” – P.T. Barnum
25. “Until you get so that you can rely upon yourself, you need not expect to succeed.” – P.T. Barnum
26. “The noblest art is that of making others happy.” – P.T. Barnum
27. “No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else.” – P.T. Barnum
28. “The best kind of charity is to help those who are willing to help themselves.” – P.T. Barnum
29. “The real comforts of life cost but a small portion of what most of us can earn.” – P.T. Barnum
30. “Comfort is the enemy of progress.” – P.T. Barnum
31. “Be cautious and bold.” – P.T. Barnum
32. “The possession of a perfect knowledge of your business is an absolute necessity in order to insure success.” – P.T. Barnum
33. “Exposing an illusion is not the same as revealing a truth” – P.T. Barnum
34. “Work hard, think hard, be honest, and spend little – this will “make common gold.”” – P.T. Barnum
35. “Fortune always favors the brave, and never helps a man who does not help himself.” – P.T. Barnum
Related: Quotes to Live By
Bonus P.T. Barnum Quote
Bonus: Here’s one last and final PT Barnum quote. We’ve listed as a bonus because we stand behind it 100% here at the STRIVE.
“Whatever You Do, Do It Ardently.”
– p.t. barnum –
Final Thoughts
There you have it, the best Barnum quotes on how to find more success in life. We hope you enjoyed the wisdom published through these quotes, and we are confident that if you apply some of his wisdom to your life, you’ll without a doubt achieve more of what we are all after….successful living.
Till next time,
STRIVE