The MMOB Daily Quote - David Rockefeller

David Rockefeller Sr. (born June 12, 1915)

Today's subject of The MMOB Daily Quote is an American banker and the head of the Rockefeller family, heirs to the legacy of Standard Oil oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller.

To give you a flavor of the man and his positions on a broad range of issues, here's a Charlie Rose Special Edition with Mr. Rockefeller.



And now, a few quotes from David Rockefeller.

"If necessity is the mother of invention, discontent is the father of progress"

"As children we recognized that we belonged to an unusual, even exceptional, family, but the effect was different on each of us."

"By a museum, I assume you mean an institution dedicated to the events of Sept. 11 and the aftermath. If that is done with sensitivity, I think it would be most appropriate."

"Father was the eldest son and the heir apparent, and he set the standard for being a Rockefeller very high, so every achievement was taken for granted and perfection was the norm."

"I am a passionate traveler, and from the time I was a child, travel formed me as much as my formal education."

"I am convinced that material things can contribute a lot to making one's life pleasant, but, basically, if you do not have very good friends and relatives who matter to you, life will be really empty and sad and material things cease to be important."

"I believe that government is the servant of the people and not their master."

"I learned more from my mother than from all the art historians and curators who have informed me about technical aspects of art history and art appreciation over the years."

"I suspect that many corporations have begun to understand that they have an important role to play in the lives of their communities, and that allocating funds to support local groups helps them discharge that function and also burnish their image."

"I think of art as the highest level of creativity. To me, it is one of the greatest sources of enjoyment."

"It is true that I am often startled and even angered and repulsed by the strange directions and provocative content of new forms that seem to pop up every few months."

"Money can add very much to one's ability to lead a constructive life, not only pleasant for oneself, but, hopefully, beneficial to others."

"Philanthropy is involved with basic innovations that transform society, not simply maintaining the status quo or filling basic social needs that were formerly the province of the public sector."

"The role of a museum of modern art is to make a good selection and identify what we believe to be the coming movements, and that requires taste."

"They decided to establish a museum of modern art where works by contemporary artists would be shown. Mother was viewed as a very progressive person, and not everybody liked the paintings she bought."

"When I see something I like, I buy it, but I do not look for it madly."

"When you have a lot of resources, the most important thing is to have had good parents and to have been brought up by people who gave one the proper values."

"You know, gentlemen, that I do not owe any personal income tax. But nevertheless, I send a small check, now and then, to the Internal Revenue Service out of the kindness of my heart."

Cheers! - Jason