From the outset, Standard Oil was permeated by an us-versus-them attitude that emanated from the top AT moments, Rockefeller made it sound as if he and his colleagues were a band of early Chrsitians, misundrestood by the pagans. In this moralistic frame of mind, he was bound to see his opponents as benighted, misguided people, 'governed by their narrow jealousies and unwarranted prejuidces' and unaware that the old gods were now obsolete. Rockefeller developed an inverted worldview, accusing his critics of exactly the same sins of which they accused him. Far from seeing himself as a rascal or bully, the Standard Oil chieftain prsented himself as a respectable gentleman who attempted in vain to reason with wicked independents. In his correspondence, Rocekfeller betrayed a characteristicc manner of referring to his rivals: they were selfish people forever stirring up trouble or creating annoyances, like so many mischievous children who needed a good stiff spanking from father. never conceding any legitimacy to dissent, Riocekfeller denigrated his critics as blackmailers, sharpsters and crooks. he was now dangerously impervious to criticism.

Titan, Ron Chenow - page 155