I am not a believer in large salaries. I hold that every…
“I am not a believer in large salaries. I hold that every man should be paid for personal production. Our big men at Bethlehem seldom get salaries of over one hundred dollars a week; but all of them receive bonuses computed entirely on the efficiencies and the economies registered in their departments.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Compensation should be tied to individual output rather than fixed high salaries, using bonuses based on efficiency and cost savings.
In simple terms: Pay for production, not just a big paycheck.
Key Takeaway
Reward productivity directly.
Themes
fairness
productivity
incentives
economics
Mood
analytical
pragmatic
Type
business
economic
When to use this quote
- manufacturing
- sales
- software development
- nonprofit budgeting
Key Concepts
performance-based pay
bonus systems
efficiency metrics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you measure personal production fairly?
- What incentives might distort collaboration?
A Different Perspective
Bonuses may not fully capture teamwork or long‑term value.