James Cash Penney

“The well-satisfied customer will bring the repeat sale that counts.”

“I was long brought up to think that it was nothing short of a crime to miss a sale.”

“Clock watchers never seem to be having a good time.”

“Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.”

“Selling is our No. 1 job. Never get away from selling a lot of merchandise personally. The more you sell the more you learn.”

“Salesmanship, too, is an art; the perfection of its technique requires study and practice.”

“The greatest teacher I know is the job itself.”

“Do not primarily train men to work. Train them to serve willingly and intelligently.”

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

“The problem with the bronco is to get on and stay on. This is the problem with the Golden Rule-to understand and apply.”

“The five separate fingers are five independent units. Close them and the fist multiplies strength. This is organization.”

“I do not believe in excuses. I believe in hard work as the prime solvent of life's problems.”

“Success will always be measured by the extent to which we serve the buying public.”

“The best of merchandise will go back to the shelf unless handled by a conscientious, tactful salesman.”

“There has never been a time when a career in the Penney Company was not a challenge that brought out the best in a man.”

“Honor bespeaks worth. Confidence begets trust. Service brings satisfaction. Cooperation proves the quality of leadership.”

“There's no better friend to any merchant than a fair competitor.”

“Too many would-be executives are slaves of routine.”

“Every man must decide for himself whether he shall master his world or be mastered by it.”

“The men who have furnished me with my greatest inspiration have not been men of wealth, but men of deeds.”