P. T. Barnum

The desire for wealth is nearly universal, and none can say it is not laudable, provided the possessor of it accepts its responsibilities, and uses it as a friend to humanity.

Phineas Taylor Barnum (5 July 1810 – 7 April 1891) was an American showman who is best remembered for his entertaining hoaxes and for founding the circus that eventually became Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Sourced

I am a showman by profession...and all the gilding shall make nothing else of me.

• I am a showman by profession...and all the gilding shall make nothing else of me.
  • As quoted in Philip B. Kunhardt, et alm P. T. Barnum: America's Greatest Showman (1995), ISBN 0-679-43574-3, p. vi

Art of Money Getting (1880)

Art of Money Getting : Rules for Making Money

• The plan of "counting the chickens before they are hatched" is an error of ancient date, but it does not seem to improve by age.
  • Ch. 10: "Let hope predominate but be not too visionary"

• Politeness and civility are the best capital ever invested in business.
  • Ch. 17: "Be polite and kind to your customers"

• The best kind of charity is to help those who are willing to help themselves.
  • Ch. 18: "Be charitable"

• In fact, as a general thing, money-getters are the benefactors of our race.
  • Ch. 20: "Preserve your integrity"

• The desire for wealth is nearly universal, and none can say it is not laudable, provided the possessor of it accepts its responsibilities, and uses it as a friend to humanity.
  • Ch. 20: "Preserve your integrity"

Misattributed

• There's a sucker born every minute.
  • Commonly attributed to Barnum, there is much testimony of contemporaries that he never actually said this, and in "P. T. Barnum Never Did Say "There's a Sucker Born Every Minute" R. J. Brown asserts that it actually originated with a banker named David Hannum, in regard to one of Barnum's hoaxes: a replica of the Cardiff Giant.