B. C. Forbes

B. C. Forbes – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

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B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) was a Scottish-American financial journalist, publisher, and founder of Forbes magazine. This article traces his life, work, philosophy, and memorable sayings about success, business, and character.

Introduction

Bertie Charles “B. C.” Forbes made his mark as a visionary financial journalist and publisher. Born in Scotland in 1880, he emigrated to the United States and, in 1917, launched Forbes magazine, which became one of the most influential voices in business journalism. His writing and aphorisms on leadership, integrity, ambition, and perseverance continue to be quoted in business, self-help, and motivational contexts.

Early Life and Family

B.C. Forbes was born on May 14, 1880, in New Deer, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the son of Agnes (Moir) and Robert Forbes, a local storekeeper and tailor.

He studied at University College, Dundee (then part of the University of St. Andrews) before beginning his journalistic career.

Career and Achievements

Journalism and Early Career

In 1897, Forbes began work as a reporter and editorial writer at a local newspaper in Dundee. Johannesburg, South Africa, where he worked with the Rand Daily Mail.

In 1904, he emigrated to New York City, undertaking roles in financial journalism—first at the Journal of Commerce, and then as a syndicated columnist and later financial editor in Hearst’s newspapers. New York American.

Founding Forbes Magazine

In 1917, Forbes founded Forbes magazine, intending it to spotlight the stories of business leaders, industry, investment, and the human side of financial success.

He also founded the Investors League in 1942, an organization promoting investment education.

Published Works

B. C. Forbes wrote or co-authored several books on finance, business, and personal success. His major writings include:

• Finance, Business and the Business of Life (1915)

• Men Who Are Making America (1917)

• Keys to Success or Personal Efficiency (1918)

• Forbes Epigrams (1922)

• Men Who Are Making the West (1923)

• Automotive Giants of America (1925)

• How to Get the Most Out of Business (1927)

• Later works such as 101 Unusual Experiences (1952) and America’s Twelve Master Salesmen (1952)

These volumes show his dual interests: profiling prominent business figures and offering advice to individuals seeking success.

Personality, Philosophy, and Influence

Forbes was not only a reporter but also a chronicler of business character. He believed strongly in initiative, integrity, perseverance, and self-education. Much of his legacy lives in the many pithy statements he left behind. His emphasis was less on flashy rhetoric and more on grounded principles in business and personal conduct.

His magazine’s mission—to tell the stories of great business minds—also shaped the culture of business journalism, placing emphasis on profiling leaders and humanizing the world of finance.

Famous Quotes of B. C. Forbes

Here are several well-known and oft-quoted aphorisms by B. C. Forbes:

“If you don’t drive your business, you will be driven out of business.” “History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.” “A business like an automobile, has to be driven, in order to get results.” “There is more credit and satisfaction in being a first-rate truck driver than a tenth-rate executive.” “Better to be occasionally cheated than perpetually suspicious.” “Work is the meat of life, pleasure the dessert.” “Opportunity rarely knocks on your door. Knock rather on opportunity’s door if you ardently wish to enter.” “The man who is intent on making the most of his opportunities is too busy to bother about luck.” “How you start is important, but it is how you finish that counts. In the race for success, speed is less important than stamina. The sticker outlasts the sprinter.” “Real riches are the riches possessed inside.” “The bargain that yields mutual satisfaction is the only one that is apt to be repeated.”

These quotations touch on recurring Forbes themes: personal responsibility, integrity, perseverance, and the inner life (character) being more valuable than external wealth.

Lessons from B. C. Forbes

From his life and words, several lessons are salient:

1. Be proactive
   Forbes repeatedly warns against passivity—whether in business or life: “if you don’t drive … you will be driven out.”

2. View obstacles as tests
   He saw setbacks not as final defeats, but as trials that separate those who persist from those who quit.

3. Value inner character over external trappings
   Many of his quotes stress that what lies within you—honesty, discipline, faith—is more important than outward displays of success.

4. Strive for mutual benefit
   The idea that deals must benefit both sides recurs: ethical relationships endure.

5. Finish as well as you start
   In Forbes’ view, stamina and staying power matter more than flashy starts. Doing the small tasks well and seeing them through is part of lasting success.

Later Life and Death

B. C. Forbes continued to lead Forbes magazine until he passed away on May 6, 1954, in New York City.

After his death, his remains were returned to Scotland, where he is buried in New Deer Churchyard, Aberdeenshire.

His sons, especially Malcolm S. Forbes, continued the magazine and expanded its reach into later decades.

Legacy and Influence

• Business journalism pioneer: Formerly, much financial reporting was dry; Forbes’ style of profiling business leaders and exploring their character gave business journalism a more human dimension.

• Enduring voice of success wisdom: His quotes remain popular in business, leadership, motivational, and entrepreneurial literature.

• Institutional impact: Forbes magazine endures as a major global business publication, a direct continuation of his vision.

• Inspirational model: For many aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals, Forbes serves both as a role model and a source of aphoristic wisdom.