--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: the ability to deal with people is as…" description: "\"“the ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee. And I will pay more for that ability,” said John D., “than for any o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/dale-carnegie-382_deal-people_the-ability-to-deal-with-people-is-as-pu_94779.jpg" --- # the ability to deal with people is as purchasable a… ![“the ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee. And I will pay more for that ability,” said John D., “than for any other under the sun.” quote by Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/dale-carnegie-382_deal-people_the-ability-to-deal-with-people-is-as-pu_94779.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/dale-carnegie-382_deal-people_the-ability-to-deal-with-people-is-as-pu_94779.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/dale-carnegie-382_deal-people_the-ability-to-deal-with-people-is-as-pu_94779.jpg) > ““the ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee. And I will pay more for that ability,” said John D., “than for any other under the sun.”” [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Interpersonal skill is portrayed as a valuable commodity, worth paying a premium over any other talent. **In simple terms:** People skills are more valuable than anything else. Key Takeaway People skills as a premium asset. Themes leadership communication value Mood motivational pragmatic Type advice When to use this quote - hiring - team building - customer service Key Concepts social intelligence Practical Applications - invest in communication training Questions to Reflect On - How can you measure the ROI of interpersonal skill development? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability-said-1166866/) [Deal People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deal-people/) [People Purchasable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-purchasable-1166865/) [Purchasable Commodity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purchasable-commodity-360484/) [Said John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-john-456827/) ## Related quotes > [The ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee and I will pay more for that ability than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/the-ability-to-deal-with-people-is-as-purchasable-a-commodity-as-3/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [“The ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee. And I will pay more for that ability.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/the-ability-to-deal-with-people-is-as-purchasable-a-commodity-as-2/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [“It is shocking, but true, that in today's America, "Justice" is a purchasable commodity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillip-b-davidson/it-is-shocking-but-true-that-in-today-s-america-justice-is-a/) [Phillip B. Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillip-b-davidson/) > [What I said about John was that he liberated me from my anxieties about writing in a correct, acceptable way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-mathews/what-i-said-about-john-was-that-he-liberated-me-from-my-anxieties/) [Harry Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-mathews/) > [“She went to the most expensive private girls' school in Connecticut. All they taught her there was how to fold doilies." Pointedly ignoring Alex,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-cabot/she-went-to-the-most-expensive-private-girls-school-in-connecticut/) [Meg Cabot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-cabot/) > [“Yes, I'm sorry you won't be coming with us," Chloe said to Alex. "But please don't worry. I'm certain The Lord has another plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-cabot/yes-i-m-sorry-you-won-t-be-coming-with-us-chloe-said-to-alex-but/) [Meg Cabot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-cabot/) > [“ BIDEN : “ Look, folks ,” the president told the adoring crowd after his wife handed him the microphone, “you know, there, uh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-tapper/biden-look-folks-the-president-told-the-adoring-crowd-after-his-wife/) [Jake Tapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-tapper/) > [“My dad said it best when he said, “John, on your deathbed you will never wish you spent more time at the office.” So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-s-sharma/my-dad-said-it-best-when-he-said-john-on-your-deathbed-you-will-never/) [Robin S. Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-s-sharma/) > [“Fred said, “Man, I think he’s gonna make a fuckin’ suit of human skin, using the best parts from each of us.” “Holy crap,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wong/fred-said-man-i-think-he-s-gonna-make-a-fuckin-suit-of-human-skin/) [David Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wong/) > [“After John gave his little speech to the orchestra, he turned to Paulie and said, "What do you think, mate? Are you with me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-goldsher/after-john-gave-his-little-speech-to-the-orchestra-he-turned-to/) [Alan Goldsher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-goldsher/) > [Long John Silver's wife, Short, who said to John, If the shoe fits... Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/long-john-silver-s-wife-short-who-said-to-john-if-the-shoe-fits-never/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [“Roger paced across the room, his dressing gown flapping away and revealing his appendage in split second intervals like some sort of subliminal sausage. …](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-moran/roger-paced-across-the-room-his-dressing-gown-flapping-away-and/) [Tom Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-moran/) > [ I met Sam Phillips when he came in \[studio\] and I said, I'm John Cash. I'm the one who's been calling. And if you'd… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-met-sam-phillips-when-he-came-in-studio-and-i-said-i-m-john-cash-i/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [And that, said John, is that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-that-said-john-is-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Marconi said, "I see you have your instruments. Can any of you sing? The old spirituals work best." John said, "I can sing." I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wong/marconi-said-i-see-you-have-your-instruments-can-any-of-you-sing-the/) [David Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wong/) ## More by Dale Carnegie > [“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures bristling with prejudice and motivated by pride and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/when-dealing-with-people-remember-you-are-not-dealing-with-creatures/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [I deal with the obvious. I present, reiterate, and glorify the obvious - because the obvious is what people need to be told.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/i-deal-with-the-obvious-i-present-reiterate-and-glorify-the-obvious/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [You can make more friends in two months by becoming more interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/you-can-make-more-friends-in-two-months-by-becoming-more-interested/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [“The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/the-man-who-goes-farthest-is-generally-the-one-who-is-willing-to-do/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [“Apply the blacksmith's homely principle when you are speaking. If you feel deeply about your subject you will be able to think of little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/apply-the-blacksmith-s-homely-principle-when-you-are-speaking-if-you/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/one-of-the-most-tragic-things-i-know-about-human-nature-is-that-all/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-you-can-t-sleep-then-get-up-and-do-something-instead-of-lying/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [I realize now that people are not thinking about you and me or caring what is said about us. They are thinking about themselves-before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/i-realize-now-that-people-are-not-thinking-about-you-and-me-or-caring/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Those convinced against their will are of the same opinion still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/those-convinced-against-their-will-are-of-the-same-opinion-still/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Each nation feels superior to other nations. That breeds patriotism - and wars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/each-nation-feels-superior-to-other-nations-that-breeds-patriotism/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [We are gods in the chrysalis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/we-are-gods-in-the-chrysalis/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [If you want to know how to make people shun you and laugh at you behind your back and even despise you, here is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-you-want-to-know-how-to-make-people-shun-you-and-laugh-at-you/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [So if you aspire to be a good conversationali st, be an attentive listener. To be interesting, be interested. Ask questions that other persons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/so-if-you-aspire-to-be-a-good-conversationali-st-be-an-attentive/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [...Be grateful for what you have to be thankful for instead of complaining about the little things that annoy you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/be-grateful-for-what-you-have-to-be-thankful-for-instead-of/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Don't be afraid of enemies who attack you. Be afraid of the friends who flatter you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/don-t-be-afraid-of-enemies-who-attack-you-be-afraid-of-the-friends/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) [Explore all 592 Dale Carnegie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) ## More Deal People quotes > [Life's too short to deal with other people's insecurities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/life-s-too-short-to-deal-with-other-people-s-insecurities/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [“One may learn a great deal about a people by the stories they tell of others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-zahn/one-may-learn-a-great-deal-about-a-people-by-the-stories-they-tell-of/) [Timothy Zahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-zahn/) > [I can deal with people who watch me on stage but I am not good in communicating with people any other way than through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-can-deal-with-people-who-watch-me-on-stage-but-i-am-not-good-in/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [The key to dealing with people in general is that they have to know that you care about them. You have to deal with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-berkman/the-key-to-dealing-with-people-in-general-is-that-they-have-to-know/) [Lance Berkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-berkman/) > [I try not to be preachy, I just try to deal with people on their own level, not to try to talk down or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chali-2na/i-try-not-to-be-preachy-i-just-try-to-deal-with-people-on-their-own/) [Chali 2na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chali-2na/) > [I've got a nice little crafty deal with the people in Barbados; 10 days out there teaching the locals how to play darts for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bristow/i-ve-got-a-nice-little-crafty-deal-with-the-people-in-barbados-10/) [Eric Bristow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bristow/) > [My race and sex had a great deal more to do with what people believed I could do than with what I actually could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-e-butler/my-race-and-sex-had-a-great-deal-more-to-do-with-what-people-believed/) [Octavia E. Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-e-butler/) > [Everybody's fake, you just gotta know how to deal with people!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jabreya-hill/everybody-s-fake-you-just-gotta-know-how-to-deal-with-people/) [JaBreya Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jabreya-hill/) > [Any supervisor worth his salt would rather deal with people who attempt too much than with those who try too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-iacocca/any-supervisor-worth-his-salt-would-rather-deal-with-people-who/) [Lee Iacocca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-iacocca/) > [I've had offers to sign a record deal, but the people I've talked to have wanted to package me and have me meet with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-haas/i-ve-had-offers-to-sign-a-record-deal-but-the-people-i-ve-talked-to/) [Lukas Haas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-haas/) > [You handle animals. You deal with people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-auerbach/you-handle-animals-you-deal-with-people/) [Red Auerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-auerbach/) > [I can deal with imperfection, but I can't deal with people who lie to themselves and lie to the world to make the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bibi-bourelly/i-can-deal-with-imperfection-but-i-can-t-deal-with-people-who-lie-to/) [Bibi Bourelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bibi-bourelly/) > [In art as in politics we must deal with people as they are not as we wish them to be. Only by working with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-mae-brown/in-art-as-in-politics-we-must-deal-with-people-as-they-are-not-as-we/) [Rita Mae Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-mae-brown/) > [“was hard to deal with people when a tiny part of you saw them as a temporary collection of atoms that would not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/was-hard-to-deal-with-people-when-a-tiny-part-of-you-saw-them-as-a/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [I see the horrible way some stars deal with other people, and I don't know how they get away with it. Maybe it comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-lloyd/i-see-the-horrible-way-some-stars-deal-with-other-people-and-i-don-t/) [Emily Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-lloyd/) [Browse all 49 Deal People quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deal-people/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“the ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee. 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