Quote Me On This: The Wit and Wisdom of Coleman Cox

Cox’s writing started in 1921 when he decided to print up a small paper booklet with a thick paper cover. As he tells it, this booklet consisted of a few hundred paragraphs telling something of my experiences and observations during thirty years of active business life.

He gave away a few thousand of these booklets. After that he received hundreds of letters requesting multiple copies of the booklet. So he printed a second edition, which sold out before the printing was complete.

After that the booklet quickly went to a third, fourth, fifth printing, and beyond.

Within ten months, Take It From Me, the first booklet, had sold millions of copies. So, in 1922 Cox came out with another brilliant collection of witticisms. Every copy was sold out before the printing of the first edition was complete.

It didn t take long for Cox to realize that these millions of little booklets were being purchased by business owners as gifts for their employees and clients. Because Cox could easily print off small runs, he offered to print up booklets with a customized message in the front. These messages are often quite heartfelt and are obviously written by business owners striving for a better world.

In one customized copy of Just Plain Talk, O.R. Peterson writes to his clients:

“We have come to realize that we owe each other some expression for whatever success we have attained and possibly this little book will mean quite as much to you as it does to us.”

Cox s little paragraphs are inspiring and entertaining. Turn to any page and you’ll find yourself flipping through several more. You’ll be asking yourself What will he say next?

At the same time, although these words are from eight decades ago, they ring true today. Other than the fact that business is no longer completely dominated by men, almost nothing here is outdated.

I m sure you’ll find a great deal to enjoy here. And you’ll be quoting Coleman Cox for a long time to come.

“It is my hope that some one or more of my little paragraphs will have something to do with the making of your tomorrows more happy and successful than your yesterdays.”
– Coleman Cox