Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Penguin Random House USA (2006), Edition: Reprint, 80 pages
Description
James Allen's literary essay and book "As a Man Thinketh" was originally published in 1903. The novel is written in terms of responsibility assumption, which is a doctrine that any person has complete responsibility for the events that happen to them. Every situation you are in is because of your choice, no other outside factors. Allen's novel takes this thought and acts as a guide for an individual to lead a more full and happy life, by using the power of thought to change one's life through a better attitude. Allen is quoted saying "The price of the book is only one shilling, and it can be carried in the pocket" and that it is "A book that will help you help yourself".
User reviews
LibraryThing member AnnThatcher
Written in 1902, the book essence can be summarized in the first paragraph: "Each of us is literally what we think, our character being the complete sum of all our thoughts." Allen really drives the point which is profound."Yes, humanity surges with uncontrolled passion, is tumultuous with
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ungoverned grief, is blown about by anxiety and doubt. Only the wise man, only he whose thoughts are controlled and purified, makes the winds and the storms of the soul obey him." This book is worth savoring, pondering, and re-reading. "All that we are is the result of what we have thought" Empowering. Think beautiful thoughts and embrace lofty ideals, because your thoughts determine your character, who you are, and your world around you. Show Less
LibraryThing member mrellis64
In my opinion, this book should be required reading for everyone.
LibraryThing member dnewsome
This is very simliar to Rhonda Byrnes "The Secret". Your thoughts translate into your actions, your actions effects your choices and your choices affect your life. Good read.
LibraryThing member JohnSherman
Tremendous powerful stuff. pg 18 "The man who does not shrink from self-crucifixation can never fail to accomplish the object upon which his heart is set".. whoa!
LibraryThing member birchdev
Mind is the master power that molds and makes. And man is mind. They themselves are makers of themselves. As a man thinketh in his heart so is he. A man is literally what he thinks, his character bring the complete sum of all his thoughts. Man is made or unmade by himself; in the armory of thought
Mans mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors; that which it loves, and also that which it fears.
Here is a man who is wretchedly poor. He is extremely anxious that his surroundings and home comforts should be improved, yet all the time he shirks his work, and considers he is justified in trying to deceive his employer on the ground of the insufficiency of his wage. Such a man does not understand the simplest rudiments of those principles which are the basis of true prosperity, and is not only totally unfit to rise out of his wretchedness, but is actually attracting to himself a still deeper wretchedness by dwelling in, and acting out, indolent, deceptive, and unmanly thoughts.
Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results. A man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile, and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life.
Men imagine that thought can be kept secret, but it cannot; it rapidly crystallizes into habit, and habit solidifies into circumstance. A particular train of thought persisted in, be good or bad, cannot fail to produce its result on the character and circumstances. A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstance.
The body is the servant of the mind. It obeys the operations of the mind, whether they be deliberately chosen or automatically expressed. Disease and health, like circumstances, are rooted in thought. Sickly thoughts will express themselves though a sickly body. Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and grace. Change of diet will not help a man who will not change his thoughts. When a man makes his thoughts pure, he no longer desires impure foods. There is no physician like cheerful thought for dissipating the ills of the body; there is no comforter to compare with goodwill for dispersing the shadows of grief and sorrow.
Until thought is linked with purpose there is not intelligent accomplishment. They who have no central purpose in their life fall an easy prey to petty worries, fears, troubles, and self-pitying, all of which are indications of weakness. A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart, and set out to accomplish it. He should make this purpose the centralizing point of his thoughts.
As the physically weak man can make himself strong by carefully and patient training, so the man of weak thoughts can make them strong by exercising himself in the right thinking. Doubt and fear are the great enemies of knowledge, and he who encourages them, who does not slay them, thwarts himself at every step. He who has conquered doubt and fear has conquered failure.
All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts. A strong man cannot help a weaker unless that weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself; he must, by his own effort, develop the strength which he admires in another. None but himself can alter his condition. He who has conquered weakness, and has put away all the selfish thoughts, belongs neither to oppressor nor oppressed. He is free. Victories by right thought can only be maintained by watchfulness. Many give way when success is assured, and rapidly fall back into failure.
The dreams are the saviors of the world. He who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it. Dream lofty dreams, as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your Ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.
Calmness of the mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control. Its presence is an indication of ripened experience and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought. The strong, calm man is always loved and revered. He is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm.
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he forges the weapons by which he destroys himself; he also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peace. Man is always the master even in his weaker and most abandoned state; but in his weakness and degradation he is the foolish master who misgoverns his household.Mans mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors; that which it loves, and also that which it fears.
Here is a man who is wretchedly poor. He is extremely anxious that his surroundings and home comforts should be improved, yet all the time he shirks his work, and considers he is justified in trying to deceive his employer on the ground of the insufficiency of his wage. Such a man does not understand the simplest rudiments of those principles which are the basis of true prosperity, and is not only totally unfit to rise out of his wretchedness, but is actually attracting to himself a still deeper wretchedness by dwelling in, and acting out, indolent, deceptive, and unmanly thoughts.
Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results. A man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile, and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life.
Men imagine that thought can be kept secret, but it cannot; it rapidly crystallizes into habit, and habit solidifies into circumstance. A particular train of thought persisted in, be good or bad, cannot fail to produce its result on the character and circumstances. A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstance.
The body is the servant of the mind. It obeys the operations of the mind, whether they be deliberately chosen or automatically expressed. Disease and health, like circumstances, are rooted in thought. Sickly thoughts will express themselves though a sickly body. Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and grace. Change of diet will not help a man who will not change his thoughts. When a man makes his thoughts pure, he no longer desires impure foods. There is no physician like cheerful thought for dissipating the ills of the body; there is no comforter to compare with goodwill for dispersing the shadows of grief and sorrow.
Until thought is linked with purpose there is not intelligent accomplishment. They who have no central purpose in their life fall an easy prey to petty worries, fears, troubles, and self-pitying, all of which are indications of weakness. A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart, and set out to accomplish it. He should make this purpose the centralizing point of his thoughts.
As the physically weak man can make himself strong by carefully and patient training, so the man of weak thoughts can make them strong by exercising himself in the right thinking. Doubt and fear are the great enemies of knowledge, and he who encourages them, who does not slay them, thwarts himself at every step. He who has conquered doubt and fear has conquered failure.
All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts. A strong man cannot help a weaker unless that weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself; he must, by his own effort, develop the strength which he admires in another. None but himself can alter his condition. He who has conquered weakness, and has put away all the selfish thoughts, belongs neither to oppressor nor oppressed. He is free. Victories by right thought can only be maintained by watchfulness. Many give way when success is assured, and rapidly fall back into failure.
The dreams are the saviors of the world. He who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it. Dream lofty dreams, as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your Ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.
Calmness of the mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control. Its presence is an indication of ripened experience and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought. The strong, calm man is always loved and revered. He is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Tullius22
Enlightened, and worth living by.
(10/10)
(10/10)
LibraryThing member MSarki
Been many years since I read this book but for the longest time I used it as a meditative tool to help me understand my life. In retrospect I think I was trying to find a way to live my life back then without the use of drugs, which I was finding impossible to do, at least by my own failed
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measures. The book never "cured" me, but it made me think. Today I am drug-free, basically happy, or not, wiser and older of age, but as a serious writer attempting to make history wishing always for the disease and not the cure. Show Less
LibraryThing member essyconstantine
My hardcover copy is so old it doesn't have a date. I love this book. Very insightful and thought-provoking.
LibraryThing member rayski
Got from John Senesi. It discusses reaching serenity with one’s self. A very short self help pamphlet.
LibraryThing member jamesfallen
As a Man Thinketh has a lot of insight and direction on right thinking. The author seems to take "personal responsibility" to the extreme in that he ignores the effects that others and circumstances of chance can have on a person.
LibraryThing member 6boysandme
Summary: Oh the power of thought! The author sets out to prove the value of our thoughts and how they can literally change our world. This idea was really mind boggling for me and I believe it to be a necessary read every year.
LibraryThing member ClimbingDan
Excerpt from my blog, republished with permission:
My quote in this post comes from a book I recently read as part of a motivational series, but I was not impressed by the work as a whole; if you've read the Bible book of Proverbs, from which the title of this book comes (Pro. 23:7), you can skip
However, I did enjoy this idea from its pages:
Quote of the Day:
"To put away aimlessness and weakness, and to begin to think with purpose, is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment; who make all conditions serve them, and who think strongly, attempt fearlessly, and accomplish masterfully."—James Allen, As a Man Thinketh.
My quote in this post comes from a book I recently read as part of a motivational series, but I was not impressed by the work as a whole; if you've read the Bible book of Proverbs, from which the title of this book comes (Pro. 23:7), you can skip
Show More
James Allen’s book. It repeats the same mantra until it becomes meaningless.However, I did enjoy this idea from its pages:
Quote of the Day:
"To put away aimlessness and weakness, and to begin to think with purpose, is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment; who make all conditions serve them, and who think strongly, attempt fearlessly, and accomplish masterfully."—James Allen, As a Man Thinketh.
Show Less
LibraryThing member phoibee
I love this book. It is motivating and empowering the readers that whatever your mind, heart, and soul are into, pursue it because it is what makes you what you are. A man may command his hidden soil and seeds and becomes a rightful master of himself. It also states that you will become what you
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will be and let failure finds its false content. Show Less
LibraryThing member madepercy
This short book is in two parts. The first part provides an essay on the power of thinking to overcome one's own selfishness. The second part provides thirty-one days of morning and evening meditations. Ryan Holiday mentioned this book a few times, so I purchased a copy. I particularly like the
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Dover "Empower Your Life" Series which includes a number of interesting books in unabridged formats. Allen's work has inspired me to revisit a few books I read in the early 1990s and early 2000s. The key message is that "Sweet is the rest and deep the bliss of him who has freed his heart from its lusts and hatreds and dark desires". Without referring directly to it, Allen indicates that the internal locus of control, one of the central lessons I try to teach in my leadership classes, is the key. I intend to try these meditations over the next month, because I think Allen is right. Show Less
LibraryThing member Philychel
hard to interpret and lacked flavor.
LibraryThing member DrT
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
It has been said that James Allen is the ''most quoted man you’ve never heard of.'' In 1902, Allen published As a Man Thinketh, universally acknowledged as a classic book on self-examination. The precept conveyed in Proverbs 23:7 (''As a man thinketh in his heart,
Why I picked this book up: first it is from a biblical verse and Christian and a clinical Psychologist so I scooped it up.
Thoughts: Allen was a British philosophical writer known for his inspirational books and poetry and as a pioneer of the self-help movement. His best-known work, As a Man Thinketh has been mass-produced since its publication in 1902.
In this book As a Man Thinketh the author, Allen, focuses on the simple yet profound premise that YOUR THOUGHTS CREATE YOUR LIFE. Here he says if you have created negative thinking, then you will create a life full of negative circumstances, and if you have created positive thinking, then you will create a life full of positive circumstances. When we make our thinking positive, we find our life taking positive turns and becoming joyful. Through this book, Allen says that whatever thinking we generate that thinking will attract the reality, our thinking will become the reality.
Allen says to always watch your thoughts. They become your words, always be careful with your words because they become actions, and always be attentive towards your actions because they become your habit, always be focused towards your habits because they become your character and always watch your character because it becomes your destiny.
Allen says that “A MAN HAS TO LEARN THAT HE CANNOT COMMAND THINGS, BUT HE CAN COMMAND HIMSELF, THAT HE CANNOT COERCE THE WILL OF OTHERS, BUT THAT HE CAN MOLD AND MASTER HIS OWN WILL, AND THINGS SERVE HIM WHO SERVES TRUTH, PEOPLE SEEK GUIDANCE OF HIM WHO IS MASTER OF HIMSELF.”
As a Man Thinketh Summary, Chapter 1: Thought and Character
In this chapter, the author says that As a Man Thinketh is in his heart so he is, The author says that the man is literally what he thinks of himself, a Man character is the complete sum of all his thoughts, to make us understand this concept more clearly author says that as the plant springs from and could not be without seeds, similarly every act of man springs from the hidden seeds of thoughts, and could not have appeared without them.
The author says that the act is the blossom of thoughts, and joy and suffering are its fruits, hence whatever man garners whether it’s bitter or sweet, it is the fruitage of his own husbandry.
The author says that thought is what makes us, Thought of a man makes him, hence if you have negative thoughts then such thoughts will bring evil and bad things in your life but if you have good positive thoughts that such positive thoughts will bring joy and happiness.
Chapter 2: Effect of Thought on Circumstances
In this chapter, the author says that “WE ARE WHERE WE ARE BASED ON OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR ACTIONS”. The author says that it’s not that external force don’t have influence, but that on balance we are each the master of our own destiny.
Chapter 3: Effect of thoughts on body and health
in this chapter, the author says that the body is the servant of mind, our body obeys the operations of our mind, whether they are deliberately chosen or automatically expressed, author, writes that habit of thought will produce their own effect, good or bad, here author is basically saying that clean body will have clean mind and a clean living. The author says that people who live their lives in fear disease are the people who get it, the author says that a sour face does not come by chance it comes by the sour thoughts.
Chapter 4: Thought and purpose
The author says that Doubt and Fear are the greatest enemies of Knowledge, and people who encourage them, never stop them are the ones who face them in every step of their life.
Chapter 5: The Thought-Factor in Achievement
In this chapter, The author says that all that man achieves and all that man fails to achieve are the results of his own thoughts You must have heard the phrase whether you think you can or think you can’t both ways you are right, similarly people fail or pass depends on their own thoughts, Author also says that the person who achieves little are the ones who sacrificed little and the ones who achieved much are the ones who sacrificed much.
Chapter 6: Visions and Ideals
Here he says That Desires are to obtain and Aspire is to Achieve, Author says that Dream Lofty dreams, the author says that as you dream, as you will become and vision is the promise what you shall be one day, author says that your ideal is the prophecy your prediction of what you shall, at last, unveil, The author says that Dreams are the seedling of realities, You will become as small as your controlling desire and as great as your Dominant Aspiration.
Chapter 7: Serenity
the author says that the beautiful and the most extraordinary poise of character is serenity, and serenity is the last lesson of culture, The author says that the calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of the wisdom. Allen ask you to keep your hands firmly on the helm of thoughts.
It discusses reaching serenity with one’s self.
Why I finished this read: I know Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)has been shown to be effective in multiple ways and it was an easy read if I quickly knocked it out.
It was not my favorite book, it was fine, not the worst or the best it is simple, had some good one-lime thoughts and I rated it 3.5 stars.
It has been said that James Allen is the ''most quoted man you’ve never heard of.'' In 1902, Allen published As a Man Thinketh, universally acknowledged as a classic book on self-examination. The precept conveyed in Proverbs 23:7 (''As a man thinketh in his heart,
Show More
so is he'') inspired the book's title. It also captures the essence of Allen's philosophy. Through his eloquent and succinct prose, Allen conveys his thesis that it is up to the individual to form his character and create his happiness.Why I picked this book up: first it is from a biblical verse and Christian and a clinical Psychologist so I scooped it up.
Thoughts: Allen was a British philosophical writer known for his inspirational books and poetry and as a pioneer of the self-help movement. His best-known work, As a Man Thinketh has been mass-produced since its publication in 1902.
In this book As a Man Thinketh the author, Allen, focuses on the simple yet profound premise that YOUR THOUGHTS CREATE YOUR LIFE. Here he says if you have created negative thinking, then you will create a life full of negative circumstances, and if you have created positive thinking, then you will create a life full of positive circumstances. When we make our thinking positive, we find our life taking positive turns and becoming joyful. Through this book, Allen says that whatever thinking we generate that thinking will attract the reality, our thinking will become the reality.
Allen says to always watch your thoughts. They become your words, always be careful with your words because they become actions, and always be attentive towards your actions because they become your habit, always be focused towards your habits because they become your character and always watch your character because it becomes your destiny.
Allen says that “A MAN HAS TO LEARN THAT HE CANNOT COMMAND THINGS, BUT HE CAN COMMAND HIMSELF, THAT HE CANNOT COERCE THE WILL OF OTHERS, BUT THAT HE CAN MOLD AND MASTER HIS OWN WILL, AND THINGS SERVE HIM WHO SERVES TRUTH, PEOPLE SEEK GUIDANCE OF HIM WHO IS MASTER OF HIMSELF.”
As a Man Thinketh Summary, Chapter 1: Thought and Character
In this chapter, the author says that As a Man Thinketh is in his heart so he is, The author says that the man is literally what he thinks of himself, a Man character is the complete sum of all his thoughts, to make us understand this concept more clearly author says that as the plant springs from and could not be without seeds, similarly every act of man springs from the hidden seeds of thoughts, and could not have appeared without them.
The author says that the act is the blossom of thoughts, and joy and suffering are its fruits, hence whatever man garners whether it’s bitter or sweet, it is the fruitage of his own husbandry.
The author says that thought is what makes us, Thought of a man makes him, hence if you have negative thoughts then such thoughts will bring evil and bad things in your life but if you have good positive thoughts that such positive thoughts will bring joy and happiness.
Chapter 2: Effect of Thought on Circumstances
In this chapter, the author says that “WE ARE WHERE WE ARE BASED ON OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR ACTIONS”. The author says that it’s not that external force don’t have influence, but that on balance we are each the master of our own destiny.
Chapter 3: Effect of thoughts on body and health
in this chapter, the author says that the body is the servant of mind, our body obeys the operations of our mind, whether they are deliberately chosen or automatically expressed, author, writes that habit of thought will produce their own effect, good or bad, here author is basically saying that clean body will have clean mind and a clean living. The author says that people who live their lives in fear disease are the people who get it, the author says that a sour face does not come by chance it comes by the sour thoughts.
Chapter 4: Thought and purpose
The author says that Doubt and Fear are the greatest enemies of Knowledge, and people who encourage them, never stop them are the ones who face them in every step of their life.
Chapter 5: The Thought-Factor in Achievement
In this chapter, The author says that all that man achieves and all that man fails to achieve are the results of his own thoughts You must have heard the phrase whether you think you can or think you can’t both ways you are right, similarly people fail or pass depends on their own thoughts, Author also says that the person who achieves little are the ones who sacrificed little and the ones who achieved much are the ones who sacrificed much.
Chapter 6: Visions and Ideals
Here he says That Desires are to obtain and Aspire is to Achieve, Author says that Dream Lofty dreams, the author says that as you dream, as you will become and vision is the promise what you shall be one day, author says that your ideal is the prophecy your prediction of what you shall, at last, unveil, The author says that Dreams are the seedling of realities, You will become as small as your controlling desire and as great as your Dominant Aspiration.
Chapter 7: Serenity
the author says that the beautiful and the most extraordinary poise of character is serenity, and serenity is the last lesson of culture, The author says that the calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of the wisdom. Allen ask you to keep your hands firmly on the helm of thoughts.
It discusses reaching serenity with one’s self.
Why I finished this read: I know Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)has been shown to be effective in multiple ways and it was an easy read if I quickly knocked it out.
It was not my favorite book, it was fine, not the worst or the best it is simple, had some good one-lime thoughts and I rated it 3.5 stars.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jwhenderson
A short but valuable book with inspirational passages that draw you back again and again to think about what it means to be human. The realization of the importance of your mindset and resulting thoughts makes this an important book.
LibraryThing member Mark_Oszoli
This book is definitely in my top 5 favorites. Amazing spirit of a man who lost everything yet had one of the most beautiful minds of all time. You cannot help but be captivated by the author's thought process. Each child should read this book!
LibraryThing member kencf0618
It's not the Dao De Jing, but it's not How to Win Friends and Influence People, either.
LibraryThing member Sucharita1986
Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom
Best Collection of James Allen by James Allen is a visionary book focusing on people and their efforts
to stand out from the crowd. He emphasizes on a person's weakness and strength and how he can analyze them. It was really a thought
Best Collection of James Allen by James Allen is a visionary book focusing on people and their efforts
to stand out from the crowd. He emphasizes on a person's weakness and strength and how he can analyze them. It was really a thought
Show More
provoking book and you are going to definitely feel motivated for a change of your inner self. I really liked reading the book, which eventually gave me a new purpose in life and how can I effectively shape it while following the eight pillars. Definitely 5 stars for the book. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1902
Physical description
80 p.; 6.43 inches
ISBN
9781585425648
UPC
619580007950