Creator: Bernard Baruch, U.S. financier, philanthropist, and presidential adviser
Context: In 1948 Bernard M. Baruch spoke at a youth forum sponsored by “The New York Daily Mirror” newspaper and offered several rules for success to his listeners including the following. Boldface added to excerpt:1
Be quick to praise. People like to praise those who praise them. Be sincere in doing this.
Keep yourself tidy. . . .
Be helpful, that is the first definition of success.
Be cheerful. There are enough crepe-hangers around, without adding to the list.
This quotation is listed in William Safire’s compilation titled “Words of Wisdom: More Good Advice”.2
Update History: On April 10, 2025 the format of the bibliographical notes was updated.
- 1948 December 12, The Miami News, Rules For Success Listed By Baruch At Youth Forum (Associated Press), Quote Page 12A, Column 4, Miami, Florida. (Newspapers_com) ↩︎
- 1989, Words of Wisdom: More Good Advice, Compiled and edited by William Safire and Leonard Safir, Section: Praise, Quote Page 294, Simon and Schuster, New York. (Verified on paper) ↩︎