"You can't pick cherries with your back to the…

“You can’t pick cherries with your back to the tree” has been attributed to American financier J. Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913) since at least the 1980s, but there’s no contemporary record that he ever said it. The saying (meaning that one has to be properly involved in something to be able to receive its fruits) has been cited in print since at least 1947.

Wikipedia: J. P. Morgan
John Pierpont Morgan (April 17, 1837 – March 31, 1913) was an American financier, banker and art collector who dominated corporate finance and industrial consolidation during his time. In 1892 Morgan arranged the merger of Edison General Electric and Thomson-Houston Electric Company to form General Electric. After financing the creation of the Federal Steel Company he merged in 1901 with the Carnegie Steel Company and several other steel and iron businesses, including Consolidated Steel and Wire Company owned by William Edenborn, to form the United States Steel Corporation.

Morgan died in Rome, Italy, in his sleep in 1913 at the age of 75, leaving his fortune and business to his son, John Pierpont “Jack” Morgan, Jr., and bequeathing his mansion and large book collections to The Morgan Library & Museum in New York.

At the height of Morgan’s career during the early 1900s, he and his partners had financial investments in many large corporations and were accused by critics of controlling the nation’s high finance. He directed the banking coalition that stopped the Panic of 1907. He was the leading financier of the Progressive Era, and his dedication to efficiency and modernization helped transform American business. Morgan redefined conservatism in terms of financial prowess coupled with strong commitments to religion and high culture.

Google Books
The Nation’s Schools
Volume 40
1947
Pg. 119:
It has been said that “you can’t pick cherries with your back to the tree.”

Google Books
Forbes
Volume 135, Issues 1-4
1985
Pg. 210:
You can’t pick cherries with your back to the tree.
J. PIERPONT MORGAN

Google Groups: alt.quotations
Newsgroups: alt.quotations
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (FRANK)
Date: 1997/04/12
Subject: Creative Quotations for Apr 17 from J. P. Morgan

Creative Quotations for Apr 17 from J. P. Morgan
On Foraging:
You can’t pick cherries with your back to the tree.

Businessweek
NOVEMBER 18, 2002
FINANCE
By Heather Timmons
Commentary: J.P. Morgan: Pierpont Would Not Approve
(...)
But as Pierpont said, “You cannot pick cherries with your back to the tree.”

Google Books
The Big Book of Business Quotations
New York, NY: Basic Books
2003
Pg. 275:
You can’t pick cherries with your back to the tree.
JP Morgan (1837-1913) US financier. Attrib.

Zazzle.com
J.P. Morgan You Can’t Pick Cherries Back To Tree
Quotable quote from financier J.P. Morgan
Always remember to take advantage of all of the opportunities that are available to you. Showcase this inspirational quotable quote by J.P. Morgan on any of these gifts! Memorable and infamous quote says: “You can’t pick cherries with your back to the tree.” Perfect gifts for entrepreneurs, business people, and all opportunists!
Product id: 168633849079302004
Made on 9/8/2009 5:15 PM