38 Briefe von J.D. Rockefeller an seinen Sohn

by 范毅然, Karl Friedrich Weiland (Translator)

The 38 letters written by Rockefeller to his son imparting his perspectives, ideology, and wisdom to his son.

Genres: Business, Biography, Philosophy, Self Help, Nonfiction, History, Entrepreneurship

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 26, 2025

Reviews

[Rodrigo Herrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le di 4 estrellas a este libro, aunque bien podría merecer 5. Este sentimiento encontrado me recuerda a mi percepción de la película "El Padrino": para mí, es tanto la mejor como la peor película. Es perfecta en su ejecución, pero una pequeña parte de ella te lleva a un lugar oscuro, donde cruzar la línea y delinquir parece estar justificado si es por la familia y los objetivos. Este comportamiento influenció a toda una generación a corromper autoridades y a sobrepasar el límite de la ley.

Este libro provoca una sensación similar. El aprendizaje que ofrece es impecable. Las cartas están redactadas de manera concisa y precisa, cada una conteniendo un mensaje claro y enriquecido con pequeñas historias que capturan la atención. La forma en que está escrito lo hace sumamente "snackable", fácil de consumir y reflexionar.

Sin embargo, hay un trasfondo que no puedo dejar de lado: una actitud depredadora y casi ruin de pasar por encima de todos, siempre al límite de la legalidad, para acumular más riqueza. Esta perspectiva de vida y espíritu no resuena conmigo. La forma del libro es impecable, pero no comulgo en algunos puntos del fondo de su mensaje.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suggest reading a letter a day vs all in a few sittings so you can absorb each letter as I found a message in each one. Great gift for high school / college graduate or someone starting their career. Interesting that principles and values of one of the most successful business persons at the time still apply 120+ years later.

[Jesus Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before there was Friedman, Welch and the Chicago Boys there was a clerk in Cleveland and his last name was Rockefeller. Simply put but powerful words he wrote in these letters, these maybe the clues of how he became the greatest capitalist in history thus far.

A glimpse into the mind of an unrelenting competitor, the size of the book makes it seem like the material is innocuous. What you get a tour de force on everything from management, philosophy and life.

Fables and bibles verses that molded the mind of this guardian of frugality are definitely to be cherished by those in the business world. His results seem unattainable to most, although it seems as put in these letters it was his destiny to be in this position he end up in “the richest man in the United States” and the world at the time. The purpose of these letters were to give guidance to the heir of Standard Oil his son John D Jr.

To summarize these book: attitude and action determines the outcome of your life.

[Võ Quỳnh Hương · Rating 5 out of 5]

38 BỨC THƯ TỈ PHÚ ROCKERFELLER GỬI CON TRAI

Mình không biết đây có phải thư do ông tỉ phú viết thật không. Nhưng nó hay thật sự. Mình recommend mọi người đọc quyển này.
Rất sâu sắc, đầy chiêm nghiệm và lôi cuốn. Mình nghĩ mình sẽ đọc quyển này lại nhiều lần, mình để đề mục ở đây để dễ tìm kiếm.

1: Điểm bắt đầu không quyết định điểm kết
2: May mắn phụ thuộc vào kế hoạch
3: Thiên Đường và Địa Ngục cạnh nhau
4: Làm ngay bây giờ
5: Quyết tâm cạnh tranh
6: Thế chấp cho tương lai
7: Điều khủng khiếp nhất là sụp đổ về tinh thần
8: Chỉ có từ bỏ mới thất bại
9: Niềm tin là vàng
10: Lòng trung thành với bản thân
11: Lòng tham là cần thiết
12: Địa ngục đầy người tốt
13: Không có bữa trưa nào miễn phí
14: Kiến thức không phải là sức mạnh
15: Của cải là sản phẩm phụ của làm việc chăm chỉ
16: Không có lời bào chữa
17: Con có hạt giống thành công trong tay
18: Cha không có quyền nghèo
19: Hãy trở thành người số 1
20: Mạo hiểm để sử dụng cơ hội
21: Xúc phạm là một động lực
22: Khiến đối thủ sợ hãi bằng sức mạnh
23: Tinh thần hợp tác
24: Đừng bao giờ đánh giá thấp bản thân
25: Hãy để từng xu mang lại lợi ích
26: Kiên nhẫn là một chiến lược
27: Thần may mắn trông nom người dũng cảm
28: Chân thành tin rằng con luôn có cách
29: Kết thúc mới chỉ là bắt đầu
30: Đừng để kẻ xấu níu chân con
31: Hãy là một chiến binh chinh phục mục tiêu
32: Cách thu phục nhân viên
33: Tận dụng tốt trí tuệ của mọi người
34: Hãy luôn suy nghĩ một cách chiến lược
35: Đạt cấp dưới lên hàng đầu
36: Giàu có là một trách nhiệm
37: Làm giàu cho trái tim của con
38: Ai cũng có thể trở thành ông lớn

[Kwame Som-Pimpong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, though I am skeptical Rockefeller actually wrote these letters.

[Adam Ricks · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine. Liked a lot of the letters. Didn't like some of the letters. Some felt repetitive. Overall, an interesting read.

[Daniel Ottenwalder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 38 letters from Rockefeller to his son
The power of attitude and purpose carries a man to his goal, but the end is only the beginning

Letter 1
Starting points do not determine your endpoint. Our destiny is determined by our actions, not by our origins.

People who are privileged but have no power are a waste, while those who are educated but uninfluenced are a pile of rubbish.

Letter 2
Luck depends on planning. Everyone is a designer and architect of his destiny. I do not live by God-given luck, but I do so by planning luck. When waiting for luck, you know how to guide luck; to design luck is to design life. He who marched in rank and file has earned my contempt and has been given a large brain by mistake since, for him, the spinal cord would suffice.

Letter 3
Comparing heaven and hell
The greatest reward for our hard work is not what we get but what we will become. If you view work as a pleasure, life is heaven; if you view work as a duty, life is hell.

Letter 4
Opportunity comes from opportunity. Do it now. Bad habits can dictate us and determine success or failure. It is easy to develop, but it is difficult to sever.
Successfully putting a good idea into practice is more valuable than thinking about a thousand good ideas at home. To conquer, you need to do, to do again, ever to do! And your safety is insured.

Letter 5
Be determined to compete. I do not go to war, but I destroy competitors. Even if we lose, the only thing we should do is to lose gloriously. Crutches cannot replace strong and powerful feet. We have to stand on our own feet. There is no retreat but in submission and savvy! Our chains are forged; the war is inevitable, and let it come.

Letter 6
Borrowing money is to create good luck
Mortgage for the future. Whether to win wealth or to win in life, what good people think when facing competition is not what I will lose, but what I should do to be a winner. We are continually faced with greater opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems.

Letter 7
Failure is a good thing if it doesn’t become a habit. When you take advantage of opportunities, you are depriving others of opportunities to guarantee yourself that avoiding failure becomes your motivation to do things; you have embarked on a path of laziness and powerlessness. An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity, and a pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity.

Letter 8
Only giving up will result in failure. There is nothing in the world that can replace perseverance. Unless you give up, you will not be beaten. Too many people overestimate what they lack but underestimate what they have. The same goes for what they are not and what they are.

Letter 9
Faith is gold. The level of confidence determines the level of achievement. As long as we believe we can succeed, we will succeed. I never believed that failure is the mother of success; I believe that faith is the father of success. The force that has lighted my way, and time after time, given me new courage to face life cheerfully, has been confidence.

Letter 10
Loyal to oneself. I can deceive the enemy, but I will never deceive myself. Interest and benefits can be useful in illuminating him and nature. Everyone is your enemy because everyone has their interest first. Only show your feelings when the situation is beneficial to yourself.

Letter 11
Greed is necessary. Let every thought be subjected to profitable motives. I am the focus of my life; I decide what suits me. Destiny must be created by oneself, and what you want must be obtained by every means.

Letter 12
Hell is full of good people. Arrogance usually leads to downfall. I do not like money, what Iime is making money. My belief is to reach the goal before others. The people who get on are the people who look for the circumstances they want; if they can not find them, make them.

Letter 13
There is no free lunch in this world. If you want to make a person disabled, give him a pair of crutches. Deny his dignity, and you take away his fate. The first and last chapter of the book of wisdom is there is no free lunch in the world.

Letter 14
People who have not experienced misfortune are unfortunate. Always be the foolish, smart person. A person who is smart is a fool, and a person who knows how to play a fool is smart. Being a leader, you must realize that if you give a pig a good compliment, it can climb up the tree. Everyone wants to feel good about themselves and their work. Praise, and you will win in the end.

Letter 15
Wealth is the by-product of diligence. Our wealth is a reward for our hard work. Hard work is for oneself, not for others. Wealth is an accident, a by-product of hard work. Diligence brings mobility, and hard work builds self-confidence.

Letter 16
Do not make excuses. Excuses are the source of failure. The more successful a person is, the less he will make excuses. 99% of failures are because people are used to making excuses or from people who have a habit of making excuses.

Letter 17
The seed of success is in your hand. You are your biggest capital. My only belief is to believe in myself. Everyone who desires to succeed should realize that the seeds of success are sown by your side. Everybody has certain ideals that determine the direction of his endeavors and judgment. A person who doesn't believe in himself is a thief—stealing from your full potential.

Letter 18
I should be rich; I have no right to be poor. Every penny in his hand adds a penny to the power to determine his future destitute. Well, does the man know who has suffered, there are things sweeter and holier and more sacred than gold.

Letter 19
Insist to be the first. Wealth is directly proportional to goal. One is either planning to succeed or planning to fail. For me, second place is no different from last place. We must march toward this goal, painfully but resolutely, certain in advance of our failing on a long road.

Letter 20
Take risks to make use of opportunities. The higher the risk, the greater the return. The more things you have, the greater your power. To win, you must understand the value of risk, and you must have your own vision of creating luck. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Letter 21
Insult is a kind of motivator. Insult is a measure of ability. Never let your own personal prejudices hinder your success. Believing and being in harmony with yourself will make you the most faithful companion. It is the task of men of thought, as well as men of action, to know how to put aside pride and prejudice.

Letter 22
Using your strength to scare your opponents. The more you think you can do it, the smarter you will get. When it comes to amounts of money, never mention the amount first. When in business, you must not want all the money for yourself but keep a little money for others to earn. I believe that man’s endeavor can change the world and that this endeavor can lead to something new and better.


Letter 23
There must be a spirit of cooperation. Treat others the way you wish to be treated. A friendship built on business is far better than a business built on friendship. Be nice to others when you climb up because you will run into them when you go downhill. The essence of life is struggle and competition. Struggle and competition are stimulating.

Letter 24
Not to be outdone, will win. The size of our thoughts determines the size of our achievements. Attitude is our best friend and also our worst enemy. The road to success is paved with gold, but this road is only a one-way street. Optimism is a belief that life will be, in the long run, more good than bad and that even when bad things happen, the good will eventually outbalance them.

Letter 25
Having every penny brings you benefits. Make every penny’s worth. Do not take the first step without thinking about the last step. Creativity, spontaneity, and belief can turn the impossible into a possibility. I have never looked upon ease and happiness as ends in themselves; I call it the ideal of a pigsty.

Letter 26
Patience is the strategy. Impulse is always our worst enemy. Only when you can endure what people cannot can you do what people cannot do; if you really want to succeed, you must grasp and protect your own opportunities, and even try to seize others’ opportunities. Conformity is the enemy of thought and the jailer of freedom.


Letter 27
God of luck favors the brave. Opportunity is in your choice. If you do things right 51% of the time, you will become a hero. If you act like a winner, you will likely do more of what a winner should do, thereby changing your “luck.” The battle, sir, is not to the string along. It is to be vigilant, active, and brave.


Letter 28
Only sincerely believing in yourself will find you away. It is impossible to find the best way to do anything—the best way to find the best idea is to have lots of ideas. The greatest success is reserved for those who have the attitude that can do things better. The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.

Letter 29
The ending is the beginning - the truth from Carnegie. The person who first discovers the opponent's weakness and strikes hard is often the winner. Most people fail, not because they make mistakes but because they are not fully committed. I believe it to be an invariable rule that competition of genius is succeeded by warriors


Letter 30
Do not let the villain hold you back. A wise man will never sit down and mourn over fate. Those who say you cannot do it are those who cannot succeed. You cannot afford all the extra burdens accumulated by greed and loss. Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it's the wisest course.

Letter 31
Be teleological. Loyalty is the beginning of willingness to serve. The road to hell is paved with mindless. Purpose is the basis of my leadership, and purpose is everything. A human can alter his by altering his attitude, and if you think you can do it, you’re right.

Letter 32
Avoid blaming and giving excuses. Blaming is the number one enemy in destroying a leadership. Self-blame is one of the most insidious and cunning traps. The stronger you are, the lesser the influence others will have. Action springs not from thought but from a readiness for responsibility.

Letter 33
You are making good use of everyone’s wisdom. Do not use your likes and dislikes as the criteria for selecting talents. Being loyal to yourself will help you to win one of the greatest battles in your life. The person who can create value the most is the person who devotes himself completely to his favorite activities. The most perfect human being is the one who thoroughly addresses himself to the activity of his best power.

Letter 34
Always think strategically. We have to be brave when there are no options and resolutely find a way out. The best way to find the perfect idea is to have many ideas. Planners who manipulate methods only benefit strategic thinkers. Become a possibilitarian, always see them, for they're always there.

Letter 35
Putting your subordinates first. Always put the employees who worked for me first. Blindly asking and not willing to pay, will eventually face a day of exhaustion. Give people the respect they deserve, and they can fully realize their potential. Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from his neck saying make me feel important.

Letter 36
Wealth is a form of responsibility. The greater the wealth means the greater the responsibility. Only fools are pretentious because they are rich. Never let anyone with get a little benefit as they will take the whole thing. Rockefeller had to step up to back the credit of the US during a financial crisis similar to buffett in 2008.

Letter 37
Enrich your mind. Even if you want to sell your soul, you have to sell it to yourself. Let us learn to be smart and humble; a great book is a great tree of wisdom, a great tree of mind. Let us learn wise humility, but at the same time a, humble wisdom.

Letter 38
Anyone can be a great man; we must be the salt of the world. Salt has a taste but also cleans and preserves food. You are here to purify and give the world a fresher and healthier life. Men are great only on their intrinsic value and not on the position they may incidentally happen to occupy.

[Alex Gravina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating as a piece of history, business advice, insight into Rockefeller's personality and aging.

A very short book, and very much worth it.

[Kevin · Rating 1 out of 5]

These are *not* Rockefeller’s original letters!

The letters in this book were first translated to Chinese, then translated back to English. They therefore are not Rockefeller’s original letters. They are full of grammatical errors and strange phrases introduced by the translator, who presumably is not a native English speaker. One doubts that Rockefeller’s original meanings are preserved.

If you want to read Rockefeller’s original letters, rather than twice-translated versions that appear to have been heavily edited by the translators and editor(s), then do not buy this book

[Nhung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bởi vì đây là những lá thư viết cho con trai, nên cách diễn giải của Rockefeller rất xúc tích. Đây cũng chính là điểm tôi thích nhất về quyển sách này.

Có những “từ/việc” chúng ta nghĩ mình đã hiểu, nhưng sau khi được nghe giải thích từ Rockefeller xong mới phát hiện ra trước giờ mình cũng thực sự chưa hiểu rõ “từ/việc ” đó như mình nghĩ.

Vd: Sự hợp tác không giống như tình bạn, tình yêu và hôn nhân, mục đích của hợp tác không phải là xây dung tình cảm, mà là để đạt được lợi ích.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

- An absolutely stunning book, each letter contains 1 lesson and I can't help but almost highlighting all of the contents... it's one of these books where I probably will return to again and again

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as quotes of wisdom goes, this work is chock full of them. Some insightful and solid perspectives on life and business. However, the author’s life ambition was to be the richest man in the world. While he achieved that, one cannot help but wonder what meaningful aspects of life he missed. In just about every letter/chapter I found a gem of wisdom or insight. I also cringed a bit at the ambition and seemingly single purpose of his life and thus the advice to his son often missed the mark for me. An allowance also needs to be made for the letters having been penned over a hundred years ago. This read was good, not great for me.

[Jahangir Alam]

Great business book. Highly recommended.

[Graben Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

It got better the more I read it. I would have loved to sit down and have a conversation with Mr. Rockefeller.

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun and causal

These supposed letters from Rockefeller to John Jr are an evergreen list of how to live. Simple, sincere and to the point.

Well written and enjoyable.

[Caroline Brindle Schepis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone needs to read this book! Amazing read, jam-packed with wisdom on career & life. Loved hearing about Rockefeller’s rise through his insightful letters to his son.

[Ha Tong · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only have 5 letters unread. Still, I cannot bring myself to finish the whole thing. Someone recommended it to me, telling me it's life-changing. Personally, it's anything but. He kept on yapping about things everyone's already known, about stuff I couldn't care less about, and constantly advised his son to abandon his compassion and try to use people for his own good.
3B: Bland-Boring-Basic

[Zammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books you wish you had read 10 years ago. Better late than never!

[Hasta Fu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rockefeller was not born wealthy, he was born in a rather simple family but his parents tried to get him into school. The fact that Rockefeller has The date that he was first hired by a company as his second birthday is rather astonishing.

This person was born to work. He does not believe in luck but the people who work hard ice going to be successful. This concept is different with all the financial improvement that has happened now, where capital works for the stakeholders, but his inner self is stick to what we called ‘the improvement of productivity’.

He had gone to interview for several weeks, failing many times. And then he worked in an established company.

The book is really a compilation of letters that Rockefeller wrote to his son. We don’t need a Harvard degree to understand the wisdom inside the stories that he’s telling his son, and the decisions he made during his entire life. The letters are written in the first person perspective, very honest, very transparent.

I believe a father will not try to hurt his son. And after reading this book you may become Rockefellers son.

[Kevin · Rating 1 out of 5]

These are *not* Rockefeller’s original letters.

The letters in this book were first translated to Chinese, then translated back to English. They therefore are not Rockefeller’s original letters. They are full of grammatical errors and strange phrases introduced by the translator, who presumably is not a native English speaker. One doubts that Rockefeller’s original meanings are preserved.

If you want to read Rockefeller’s original letters, rather than twice-translated versions that appear to have been heavily edited by the translators and editor(s), then do not buy this book.

[James hardened · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its honestly one of those books that hits different if you’re into legacy, business, or just trying to get your mindset right. It’s like getting advice straight from one of the richest and most calculated dudes to ever do it but without the fluff. The letters feel personal, grounded, and full of gems about money, discipline, and how to carry yourself if you actually want to build something that lasts. It’s not some hype book it’s real perspective from a man who lived it. Definitely one to keep on your shelf and come back to.

[Vincent Wang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rockefeller is an amazing person and a very successful businessman. I can tell his wisdom, ambition, and determination through words. However, the letters probably can be understood better when taking the environment into consideration. Some arguments need more proof than simply saying it. The examples used in the letter are somehow not strong enough to support the argument.

[Nguyen Thi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book of 38 letters from J.D. Rockefeller to his son is great. I would love to contact the author to translate this book into Vietnamese. I can't find any information about the author. Please, send me the author's email address if you know. Thanks a lot. My email is nguyenthinhuycmag@gmail.com

[Jasmine Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very candid expressions by J.D Rockefeller on his heartfelt thoughts and advice to his Son. Enjoyed reading the book and very inspired by how he handled himself and also treated human beings.
Its a whole new level of thoughts and mindset upon reading,

[Emily Stepper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this much more than I thought I would. Ignore the tycoon stuff, dad was actually a softie! Main critique was there was no particular order to the letters, not sure they weren't just in chronological order.

[Estella Wu · Rating 1 out of 5]

It seems apocryphal. This edition seems to be translated from Chinese to English, as the original book was in Chinese.

[Quynh_Bui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book shows the thought of Rockefeller or successful persons as well as the real thing about the business world.

[Kayla Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. Reading it again after 20+ years, the old man still gives me insights into life, work, family, friendship, and one's own mind. Maybe I will read it once more 20 years from now.

[Jialin Chang · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book so far in my life. love it

Highly recommend. Great book. I’m so lucky to read this book while I’m pregnant. Hopefully the baby can feel the great vibe as well!

[Matthias Jørgensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very likely to be fake letters. Doesn’t read like other rockefeller writings and isn’t written in a manner that makes sense for the time and place of writing.