A Man of Contradictions
John Rockefeller was a deeply religious man (and a moral man in his head). He did, however, crush opponents with such ruthlessness to get what he wanted before he created Standard Oil. He had more money than any other person in American history, yet he chose to take a train to work.
John D. Rockefeller Sr. and Alta Rockefeller Prentice, his daughter, circa 1931. Photo by Everett Collection / Shutterstock
Despite being one of the most recognizable people in America, he was pious. He read the Bible every single day and often quoted it. He also had no problem with Christ’s prediction that it would be difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. The life he lived demonstrated that he learned a lot from both of his parents: his con-man father and religious mother. He took those lessons with him (bad or good) for all of his long lifetime.