George Eastman Quotations

Light makes photography. Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography.

If a man has wealth, he has to make a choice, because there is the money heaping up. He can keep it together in a bunch, and then leave it for others to administer after he is dead. Or he can get it into action and have fun, while he is still alive. I prefer getting it into action and adapting it to human needs, and making the plan work.

The progress of the world depends almost entirely upon education.

What we do during our working hours determines what we have; what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are.

You push the button, we do the rest.

I don't believe in men waiting until they are ready to die before using any of their money for helpful purposes.

I used to think that music was like lace upon a garment, nice to have but not necessary. I have come to believe that music is absolutely essential to our community life.

The world is moving, and a company that contents itself with present accomplishments soon falls behind.

It is a medical fact that children can have a better chance in life with better looks, better health and more vigor if the teeth, nose, throat and mouth are taken proper care of at the crucial time of childhood.

The rich man never really gives anything, he only distributes part of the surplus. It is the person of moderate means who really gives.

Light makes photography. Embrace light.

I get more results for my money than in any other philanthropic scheme. It is a medical fact that children can have a better chance in life with better looks, better health and more vigor if the teeth, nose, throat and mouth are taken proper care of at the crucial time of childhood.

Men who leave their money to be distributed by others are pie-faced mutts,

Philologically, the word Kodak is as meaningless as a child's first goo. Terse, abrupt to the point of rudeness, literally bitten off by firm and unyielding consonants at both ends, it snaps like a camera shutter in your face. What more would one ask. (Explaining why he named his company Kodak.)

I wouldn't give a dime for all the possibilities of [motion pictures with sound]. The public will never accept it.

To my friends: My work is done. Why wait? (suicide note)

Photography is thus brought within reach of every human being who desires to preserve a record of what he sees… and enables the fortunate possessor to go back by the light of his own fireside to scenes which would otherwise fade from memory and be lost.

A good reputation is measured by how much you can improve the lives of others.