James C. Penney Quotes & Sayings

So I come back again to the condition that the Golden Rule, if one adopts it, is a difficult master to serve. The ship's captain will not throw the compass overboard because the wind blows fair and the day is funny. For he knows, from the experiences of the ocean's instability, that the danger days of storm are always "just ahead." So the compass must always be handy and obedience to it must always be loyal. And so with the Golden Rulle - the compass must be ever at hand through life's journey. It will see us through trying times. And perhaps the most trying of all times comes when success is riding high and we may be tempted to "throw the compass overboard." It is then we must remember that all good days in human life come from the mastery of the days of trouble that are forever recurrent. — James Cash Penney

I had to pick myself up and get on with it, do it all over again, only even better this time. — James Cash Penney

Too many would-be executives are slaves of routine. — James Cash Penney

As a rule, we find what we look for; we achieve what we get ready for. — James Cash Penney

Honor bespeaks worth. Confidence begets trust. Service brings satisfaction. Cooperation proves the quality of leadership. — James Cash Penney

They serve best who give most of themselves. Self is forgotten by the one who serves, for such a one rejoices to see success coming to others through his or her efforts. — James Cash Penney

It was always my practice to train salespeople under my direct supervision, and to treat children with the utmost consideration. — James Cash Penney

I learned that all things come to those who wait-provided they hustle while they wait. — James Cash Penney

Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together. — James Cash Penney

Change is vital, improvement the logical form of change. — James Cash Penney

The thought in my mind was that I must be a good merchant. If I were a good merchant, the rest would probably take care of itself. — James Cash Penney

Salesmanship, too, is an art; the perfection of its technique requires study and practice. — James Cash Penney

Men are not great or small because of their material possessions. They are great or small because of what they are. — James Cash Penney

I do not believe in excuses. I believe in hard work as the prime solvent of life's problems. — James Cash Penney

The five separate fingers are five independent units. Close them and the fist multiplies strength. This is organization. — James Cash Penney

In setting up a business under the name and meaning of the Golden Rule, I was publicly binding myself, in my business relations, to a principle which had been a real and intimate part of my family upbringing. Our idea was to make money and build business through serving the community with fair dealing and honest value. — James Cash Penney

No man can climb the ladder of success without first placing his foot on the bottom rung. — James Cash Penney

The public is not greatly interested in saving a little money on a purchase at the expense of service. — James Cash Penney

Responsibilities are given to him on whom trust rests. Responsibility is always a sign of trust. — James Cash Penney

A store's best advertisement is the service its goods render, for upon such service rest the future, the good-will, of an organization. — James Cash Penney

It is always the start that requires the greatest effort. — James Cash Penney

The Golden Rule finds no limit of application in business. — James Cash Penney

My definition of an executive's job is brief and to the point. It is simply this: Getting things done through other people. — James Cash Penney

Business is no longer a matter of profits alone. Profits must come through public confidence, and public confidence is given to any merchant in proportion to the service which he gives to the public. — James Cash Penney

We get real results only in proportion to the real values we give. — James Cash Penney

Clock watchers never seem to be having a good time. — James Cash Penney

Selling is our No. 1 job. Never get away from selling a lot of merchandise personally. The more you sell the more you learn. — James Cash Penney

The disciplined are free. — James Cash Penney

The men who have furnished me with my greatest inspiration have not been men of wealth, but men of deeds. — James Cash Penney

The greatest teacher I know is the job itself. — James Cash Penney