As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen Foreword This little volume (the result of meditation and experience) is not intended as an exhaustive treatise on the much-written upon subject of the power of thought !t is suggestive rather than explanator"# its object being to stimulate men and women to the discover" and perception of the truth that $The" themselves are makers of themselves$ b" virtue of the thoughts which the" choose and encourage% that mind is the master weaver# both of the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circumstance# and that# as the" ma" have hitherto woven in ignorance and pain the" ma" now weave in enlightenment and happiness &ames Allen

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As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

CHAPTER ONE - THOUGHT AND CHARACTER....................................................4 CHAPTER TWO - EFFECT OF THOUGHT ON CIRCUMSTANCES.....................6 CHAPTER THREE - EFFECT OF THOUGHT ON HEALTH AND THE OD!."" CHAPTER FOUR - THOUGHT AND PURPOSE......................................................"# CHAPTER FI$E - THE THOUGHT-FACTOR IN ACHIE$EMENT....................."% CHAPTER SI& - $ISIONS AND IDEALS..................................................................."' CHAPTER SE$EN - SERENIT!.................................................................................."(

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

Cha)te* One - Th+,-ht an. Cha*a/te*

The aphorism# $As a man thinketh in his heart so is he#$ not onl" embraces the whole of a man)s being# but is so comprehensive as to reach out to ever" condition and circumstance of his life A man is literall" what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts As the plant springs from# and could not be without# the seed# so ever" act of a man springs from the hidden seeds of thought# and could not have appeared without them This applies e*uall" to those acts called $spontaneous$ and $unpremeditated$ as to those which are deliberatel" executed Act is the blossom of thought# and jo" and suffering are its fruits% thus does a man garner in the sweet and bitter fruitage of his own husbandr" Thought in the mind hath made us. What we are By thought we wrought and built. If a man's mind Hath evil thoughts, ain !omes on him as !omes The wheel the o" behind . . . If one endure in urity of thought #oy follows him as his own shadow $ sure. Man is a growth b" law# and not a creation b" artifice# and cause and effect is as absolute and undeviating in the hidden realm of thought as in the world of visible and material things A noble and +odlike character is not a thing of favor or chance# but is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking# the effect of long-cherished association with +odlike thoughts An ignoble and bestial character# b" the same process# is the result of the continued harboring of groveling thoughts Man is made or unmade b" himself% in the armor" of thought he forges the weapons b" which he destro"s himself ,e also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenl" mansions of jo" and strength and peace -" the right choice and true application of thought# man ascends to the .ivine /erfection% b" the abuse and wrong application of thought# he descends below the level of the beast -etween these two extremes are all the grades of character# and man is their maker and master 0f all the beautiful truths pertaining to the soul which have been restored and brought to light in this age# none is more gladdening or fruitful of divine promise and confidence than this - that man is the master of thought# the molder of character# and maker and shaper of condition# environment# and destin" As a being of /ower# !ntelligence# and 1ove# and the lord of his own thoughts# man holds the ke" to ever" situation# and contains within himself that transforming and regenerative agenc" b" which he ma" make himself what he wills Man is alwa"s the master# even in his weakest and most abandoned state% but in his weakness and degradation he is the foolish master who misgoverns his $household $ 2hen he begins to reflect upon his condition# and to search diligentl" for the 1aw upon which his being is established# he then becomes the wise master# directing his energies with intelligence# and fashioning his thoughts to fruitful issues 3uch is the !ons!ious master# and man can onl" thus become b" discovering within himself the laws of thought% which discover" is totall" a matter of application# self-anal"sis# and experience

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

0nl" b" much searching and mining are gold and diamonds obtained# and man can find ever" truth connected with his being if he will dig deep into the mine of his soul And that he is the maker of his character# the molder of his life# and the builder of his destin"# he ma" unerringl" prove5 if he will watch# control# and alter his thoughts# tracing their effects upon himself# upon others# and upon his life and circumstances% if he will link cause and effect b" patient practice and investigation# utili6ing his ever" experience# even to the most trivial# as a means of obtaining that knowledge of himself !n this direction# as in no other# is the law absolute that $,e that seeketh findeth% and to him that knocketh it shall be opened$% for onl" b" patience# practice# and ceaseless importunit" can a man enter the .oor of the Temple of 7nowledge

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

Cha)te* T0+ - E11e/t +1 Th+,-ht +n Ci*/,2stan/es

A man)s mind ma" be likened to a garden# which ma" be intelligentl" cultivated or allowed to run wild% but whether cultivated or neglected# it must# and will# bring forth !f no useful seeds are ut into it# then an abundance of useless weed seeds will fall therein# and will continue to produce their kind &ust as a gardener cultivates his plot# keeping it free from weeds# and growing the flowers and fruits which he re*uires# so ma" a man tend the garden of his mind# weeding out all the wrong# useless# and impure thoughts# and cultivating toward perfection the flowers and fruits of right# useful# and pure thoughts# -" pursuing this process# a man sooner or later discovers that he is the master gardener of his soul# the director of his life ,e also reveals# within himself# the laws of thought# and understands with ever-increasing accurac"# how the thought forces and mind elements operate in the shaping of his character# circumstances# and destin" Thought and character are one# and as character can onl" manifest and discover itself through environment and circumstance# the outer conditions of a person)s life will alwa"s be found to be harmoniousl" related to his inner state This does not mean that a man)s circumstances at an" given time are an indication of his entire character# but that those circumstances are so intimatel" connected with some vital thought element within himself that# for the time being# the" are indispensable to his development 9ver" man is where he is b" the law of his being The thoughts which he has built into his character have brought him there# and in the arrangement of his life there is no element of chance# but all is the result of a law which cannot err This is just as true of those who feel $out of harmon"$ with their surroundings as of those who are contented with them As the progressive and evolving being# man is where he is that he ma" learn that he ma" grow% and as he learns the spiritual lesson which an" circumstance contains for him# it passes awa" and gives place to other circumstances Man is buffeted b" circumstances so long as he believes himself to be the creature of outside conditions -ut when he reali6es that he ma" command the hidden soil and seeds of his being out of which circumstances grow# he then becomes the rightful master of himself That circumstances grow out of thought ever" man knows who has for an" length of time practiced self-control and self-purification# for he will have noticed that the alteration in his circumstances has been in exact ratio with his altered mental condition 3o true is this that when a man earnestl" applies himself to remed" the defects in his character# and makes swift and marked progress# he passes rapidl" through a succession of vicissitudes The soul attracts that which it secretl" harbors% that which it loves# and also that which it fears !t reaches the height of its cherished aspirations !t falls to the level of its unchastened desires - and circumstances are the means b" which the soul receives its own 9ver" thought seed sown or allowed to fall into the mind# and to take root there# produces its own# blossoming sooner or later into act# and bearing its own fruitage of opportunit" and circumstance +ood thoughts bear good fruit# bad thoughts bad fruit

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

The outer world of circumstance shapes itself to the inner world of thought# and both pleasant and unpleasant external conditions are factors which make for the ultimate good of the individual As the reaper of his own harvest# man learns both b" suffering and bliss A man does not come to the almshouse or the jail b" the t"rann" of fate of circumstance# but b" the pathwa" of groveling thoughts and base desires ;or does a pure-minded man fall suddenl" into crime b" stress of an" mere external force% the criminal thought had long been secretl" fostered in the heart# and the hour of opportunit" revealed its gathered power <ircumstance does not make the man% it reveals him to himself ;o such conditions can exist as descending into vice and its attendant sufferings apart from vicious inclinations# or ascending into virtue and its pure happiness without the continued cultivation of virtuous aspirations And man# therefore# as the 1ord and master of thought# is the maker of himself# the shaper and author of environment 9ven at birth the soul comes to its own# and through ever" step of its earthl" pilgrimage it attracts those combinations of conditions which reveal itself# which are the reflections of its own purit" and impurit"# its strength and weakness Men do not attract that which the" want, but that which the" are. Their whims# fancies# and ambitions are thwarted at ever" step# but their inmost thoughts and desires are fed with their own food# be it foul or clean The $divinit" that shapes our ends$ is in ourselves% it is our ver" self Man is manacled onl" b" himself Thought and action are the jailers of Fate - the" imprison# being base The" are also the angels of Freedom - the" liberate# being noble ;ot what he wishes and pra"s for does a man get# but what he justl" earns ,is wishes and pra"ers are onl" gratified and answered when the" harmoni6e with his thoughts and actions !n the light of this truth# what# then# is the meaning of $fighting against circumstances$= !t means that a man is continuall" revolting against an effe!t without# while all the time he is nourishing and preserving its !ause in his heart That cause ma" take the form of a conscious vice or an unconscious weakness% but whatever it is# it stubbornl" retards the efforts of its possessor# and thus calls aloud for remed" Men are anxious to improve their circumstances# but are unwilling to improve themselves The" therefore remain bound The man who does not shrink from self-crucifixion can never fail to accomplish the object upon which his heart is set This is as true of earthl" as of heavenl" things 9ven the man whose sole object is to ac*uire wealth must be prepared to make great personal sacrifices before he can accomplish his object% and how much more so he who would reali6e a strong and well-poised life= ,ere is a man who is wretchedl" poor ,e is extremel" anxious that his surroundings and home comforts should be improved >et all the time he shirks his work# and considers he is justified in tr"ing to deceive his emplo"er on the ground of the insufficienc" of his wages 3uch a man does not understand the simplest rudiments of those principles which are the basis of true prosperit" ,e is not onl" totall" unfitted to rise out of his wretchedness# but is actuall" attracting to himself a still deeper wretchedness b" dwelling in# and acting out# indolent# deceptive# and unmanl" thoughts ,ere is a rich man who is the victim of a painful and persistent disease as the result of glutton" ,e is willing to give large sums of mone" to get rid of it# but he will not sacrifice his gluttonous desires ,e wants to gratif" his taste for rich and unnatural foods and have his health as well

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

3uch a man is totall" unfit to have health# because he has not "et learned the first principles of a health" life ,ere is an emplo"er of labor who adopts crooked measures to avoid pa"ing the regulation wage# and# in the hope of making larger profits# reduces the wages of his workpeople 3uch a man is altogether unfitted for prosperit" And when he finds himself bankrupt# both as regards reputation and riches# he blames circumstances# not knowing that he is the sole author of his condition ! have introduced these three cases merel" as illustrative of the truth that man is the cause (though nearl" alwa"s unconsciousl") of his circumstances That# while aiming at the good end# he is continuall" frustrating its accomplishment b" encouraging thoughts and desires which cannot possibl" harmoni6e with that end 3uch cases could be multiplied and varied almost indefinitel"# but this is not necessar" The reader can# if he so resolves# trace the action of the laws of thought in his own mind and life# and until this is done# mere external facts cannot serve as a ground of reasoning <ircumstances# however# are so complicated# thought is so deepl" rooted# and the conditions of happiness var" so vastl" with individuals# that a man)s entire soul condition (although it ma" be known to himself) cannot be judged b" another from the external aspect of his life alone A man ma" be honest in certain directions# "et suffer privations A man ma" be dishonest in certain directions# "et ac*uire wealth -ut the conclusion usuall" formed that the one man fails be!ause of his arti!ular honesty, and that the other prospers be!ause of his arti!ular dishonesty, is the result of a superficial judgment# which assumes that the dishonest man is almost totall" corrupt# and honest man almost entirel" virtuous !n the light of a deeper knowledge and wider experience# such judgment is found to be erroneous The dishonest man ma" have some admirable virtues which the other does not possess% and the honest man obnoxious vices which are absent in the other The honest man reaps the good results of his honest thoughts and acts% he also brings upon himself the sufferings which his vices produce The dishonest man likewise garners his own suffering and happiness !t is pleasing to human vanit" to believe that one suffers because of one)s virtue -ut not until a man has extirpated ever" sickl"# bitter# and impure thought from his mind# and washed ever" sinful stain from his soul# can he be in a position to know and declare that his sufferings are the result of his good# and not of his bad *ualities And on the wa" to that supreme perfection# he will have found working in his mind and life# the +reat 1aw which is absolutel" just# and which cannot give good for evil# evil for good /ossessed of such knowledge# he will then know# looking back upon his past ignorance and blindness# that his life is# and alwa"s was# justl" ordered# and that all his past experiences# good and bad# were the e*uitable outworking of his evolving# "et unevolved self +ood thoughts and actions can never produce bad results -ad thoughts and actions can never produce good results This is but sa"ing that nothing can come from corn but corn# nothing from nettles but nettles Men understand this law in the natural world# and work with it -ut few understand it in the mental and moral world (though its operation there is just as simple and undeviating)# and the"# therefore# do not cooperate with it 3uffering is always the effect of wrong thought in some direction !t is an indication that the individual is out of harmon" with himself# with the 1aw of his being The sole and supreme use of suffering is to purif"# to burn out all that is useless and impure 3uffering ceases for him who is

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

pure There could be not object in burning gold after the dross had been removed# and perfectl" pure and enlightened being could not suffer The circumstances which a man encounters with suffering are the result of his own mental inharmon" The circumstances which a man encounters with blessedness# not material possessions# is the measure of right thought 2retchedness# not lack of material possessions# is the measure of wrong thought A man ma" be cursed and rich% he ma" be blessed and poor blessedness and riches are onl" joined together when the riches are rightl" and wisel" used And the poor man onl" descends into wretchedness when he regards his lot as a burden unjustl" imposed !ndigence and indulgence are the two extremes of wretchedness The" are both e*uall" unnatural and the result of mental disorder A man is not rightl" conditioned until he is a happ"# health"# and prosperous being And happiness# health# and prosperit" are the result of a harmonious adjustment of the inner with the outer# of the man with his surroundings A man onl" begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile# and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life And as he adapts his mind to that regulating factor# he ceases to accuse others as the cause of his condition# and builds himself up in strong and noble thoughts ,e ceases to kick against circumstances# but begins to use them as aids to his more rapid progress# and as a means of discovering the hidden powers and possibilities within himself 1aw# not confusion# is the dominating principle in the universe &ustice# not injustice# is the soul and substance of life And righteousness# not corruption# is the molding and moving force in the spiritual government of the world This being so# man has but to right himself to find that the universe is right% and during the process of putting himself right# he will find that as he alters his thoughts toward things and other people# things and other people will alter toward him The proof of this truth is in ever" person# and it therefore admits of eas" investigation b" s"stematic introspection and self-anal"sis 1et a man radicall" alter his thoughts# and he will be astonished at the rapid transformation it will effect in the material conditions of his life Men imagine that thought can be kept secret# but it cannot !t rapidl" cr"stalli6es into habit# and habit solidifies into habits of drunkenness and sensualit"# which solidif" into circumstances of destitution and disease !mpure thoughts of ever" kind cr"stalli6e into enervating and confusing habits# which solidif" into distracting and adverse circumstances Thoughts of fear# doubt# and indecision cr"stalli6e into weak# unmanl"# and irresolute habits# which solidif" into circumstances of failure# indigence# and slavish dependence 1a6" thoughts cr"stalli6e into habits of uncleanliness and dishonest"# which solidif" into circumstances of foulness and beggar" ,ateful and condemnator" thoughts cr"stalli6e into habits of accusation and violence# which solidif" into circumstances of injur" and persecution 3elfish thoughts of all kinds cr"stalli6e into habits of self-seeking# which solidif" into circumstances more of less distressing 0n the other hand# beautiful thoughts of all cr"stalli6e into habits of grace and kindliness# which solidif" into genial and sunn" circumstances /ure thoughts cr"stalli6e into habits of temperance and self-control# which solidif" into circumstances of repose and peace Thoughts of courage# self-reliance# and decision cr"stalli6e into manl" habits# which solidif" into circumstances of success# plent"# and freedom

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

9nergetic thoughts cr"stalli6e into habits of cleanliness and industr"# which solidif" into circumstances of pleasantness +entle and forgiving thoughts cr"stalli6e into habits of gentleness# which solidif" into protective and preservative circumstances 1oving and unselfish thoughts cr"stalli6e into habits of self-forgetfulness for others# which solidif" into circumstances of sure and abiding prosperit" and true riches A particular train of thought persisted in# be it good or bad# cannot fail to produce its results on the character and circumstances A man cannot dire!tly choose his circumstances# but he can choose his thoughts# and so indirectl"# "et surel"# shape his circumstances ;ature helps ever" man to the gratification of the thoughts which he most encourages# and opportunities are presented which will most speedil" bring to the surface both the good and evil thoughts 1et a man cease from his sinful thoughts# and all the world will soften toward him# and be read" to help him 1et him put awa" his weakl" and sickl" thoughts# and loB opportunities will spring up on ever" hand to aid his strong resolves 1et him encourage good thoughts# and no hard fate shall bind him down to wretchedness and shame The world is "our kaleidoscope# and the var"ing combinations of colors which at ever" succeeding moment it presents to "ou are the ex*uisitel" adjusted pictures of "our evermoving thoughts %ou will be what you will to be& 'et failure find its false !ontent In that oor word, (environment,( But s irit s!orns it, and is free. It masters time, it !on)uers s a!e& It !ows that boastful tri!kster, *han!e, And bids the tyrant *ir!umstan!e +n!rown, and fill a servant's la!e. The human Will, that for!e unseen, The offs ring of a deathless ,oul, *an hew a way to any goal, Though walls of granite intervene. Be not im atient in delay, But wait as one who understands& When s irit rises and !ommands, The gods are ready to obey.

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As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

Cha)te* Th*ee - E11e/t +1 Th+,-ht +n Hea3th an. the +.4

The bod" is the servant of the mind !t obe"s the operations of the mind# whether the" be deliberatel" chosen or automaticall" expressed At the bidding of unlawful thoughts the bod" sinks rapidl" into disease and deca"% at the command of glad and beautiful thoughts it becomes clothed with "outhfulness and beaut" .isease and health# like circumstances# are rooted in thought 3ickl" thoughts will express themselves through a sickl" bod" Thoughts of fear have been known to kill a man as speedil" as a bullet# and the" are continuall" killing thousands of people just as surel" though less rapidl" The people who live in fear of disease are the people who get it Anxiet" *uickl" demorali6es the whole bod"# and la"s it open to the entrance of disease% while impure thoughts# even if not ph"sicall" indulged# will soon shatter the nervous s"stem 3trong# pure# and happ" thoughts build up the bod" in vigor and grace The bod" is a delicate and plastic instrument# which responds readil" to the thoughts b" which it is impressed# and habits of thought will produce their own effects# good or bad# upon it Men will continue to have impure and poisoned blood so long as the" propagate unclean thoughts 0ut of a clean heart comes a clean life and a clean bod" 0ut of a defiled mind proceeds a defiled life and corrupt bod" Thought is the fountain of action# life and manifestation% make the fountain pure# and all will be pure <hange of diet will not help a man who will not change his thoughts 2hen a man makes his thoughts pure# he no longer desires impure food !f "ou would perfect "our bod"# guard "our mind !f "ou would renew "our bod"# beautif" "our mind Thoughts of malice# env"# disappointment# despondenc"# rob the bod" of its health and grace A sour face does not come b" chance% it is made b" sour thoughts 2rinkles that mar are drawn b" foll"# passion# pride ! know a woman of ninet"-six who has the bright# innocent face of a girl ! know a man well under middle age whose face is drawn into inharmonious contours The one is the result of a sweet and sunn" disposition% the other is the outcome of passion and discontent As "ou cannot have a sweet and wholesome abode unless "ou admit the air and sunshine freel" into "our rooms# so a strong bod" and a bright# happ"# or serene countenance can onl" result from the free admittance into the mind of thoughts of jo" and good will and serenit" 0n the faces of the aged there are wrinkles made b" s"mpath"# others b" strong and pure thought# others are carved b" passion 2ho cannot distinguish them= 2ith those who have lived righteousl"# age is calm# peaceful# and softl" mellowed# like the setting sun ! have recentl" seen a philosopher on his deathbed ,e was not old except in "ears ,e died as sweetl" and peacefull" as he had lived There is no ph"sician like cheerful thought for dissipating the ills of the bod"% there is no comforter to compare with good will for dispersing the shadows of grief and sorrow To live continuall" in thoughts of ill will# c"nicism# suspicion# and env"# is to be confined in a self-made prison hole -ut to think well of all# to be cheerful with all# to patientl" learn to find the good in

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As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

all - such unselfish thoughts are the ver" portals of heaven% and to dwell da" to da" in thoughts of peace toward ever" creature will bring abounding peace to their possessor

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As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

Cha)te* F+,* - Th+,-ht an. P,*)+se

Entil thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment 2ith the majorit" the bark of thought is allowed to $drift$ upon the ocean of life Aimlessness is a vice# and such drifting must not continue for him who would steer clear of catastrophe and destruction The" who have no central purpose in their life fall an eas" pre" to worries# fears# troubles# and self-pit"ings# all of which are indications of weakness# which lead# just as surel" as deliberatel" planned sins (though b" a different route)# to failure# unhappiness# and loss# for weakness cannot persist in a power-evolving universe A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart# and set out to accomplish it ,e should make this purpose the centrali6ing point of his thoughts !t ma" take the form of a spiritual ideal# or it ma" be a worldl" object# according to his nature at the time being -ut whichever it is# he should steadil" focus his thought forces upon the object which he has set before him ,e should make this purpose his supreme dut"# and should devote himself to its attainment# not allowing his thoughts to wander awa" into ephemeral fancies# longings# and imaginings This is the ro"al road to self-control and true concentration of thought 9ven if he fails again and again to accomplish his purpose (as he necessaril" must until weakness is overcome)# the strength of !hara!ter gained will be the measure of his true success# and this will form a new starting point for future power and triumph Those who are not prepared for the apprehension of a great purpose# should fix the thoughts upon the faultless performance of their dut"# no matter how insignificant their task ma" appear 0nl" in this wa" can the thoughts be gathered and focused# and resolution and energ" be developed# which being done# there is nothing which ma" not be accomplished The weakest soul# knowing its own weakness# and believing this truth - that strength !an only be develo ed by effort and ra!ti!e, will at once begin to exert itself# and adding effort to effort# patience to patience# and strength to strength# will never cease to develop# and will at last grow divinel" strong As the ph"sicall" weak man can make himself strong b" careful and patient training# so the man of weak thoughts can make them strong b" exercising himself in right thinking To put awa" aimlessness and weakness# and to begin to think with purpose# is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who onl" recogni6e failure as one of the pathwa"s to attainment% who make all conditions serve them# and who think strongl"# attempt fearlessl"# and accomplish masterfull" ,aving conceived of his purpose# a man should mentall" mark out a straight pathwa" to its achievement# looking neither to the right nor to the left .oubts and fears should be rigorousl" excluded% the" are disintegrating elements which break up the straight line of effort# rendering it crooked# ineffectual# useless Thoughts of doubt and fear never accomplish an"thing# and never can The" alwa"s lead to failure /urpose# energ"# power to do# and all strong thoughts cease when doubt and fear creep in The will to do springs from the knowledge that we !an do .oubt and fear are the great enemies of knowledge# and he who encourages them# who does not sla" them# thwarts himself at ever" step

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As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

,e who has con*uered doubt and fear has con*uered failure ,is ever" thought is allied with power# and all difficulties are bravel" met and wisel" overcome ,is purposes are seasonabl" planted# and the" bloom and bring forth fruit which does not fall prematurel" to the ground Thought allied fearlessl" to purpose becomes creative force ,e who knows this is read" to become something higher and stronger than a mere bundle of wavering thoughts and fluctuating sensations ,e who does this has become the conscious and intelligent wielder of his mental powers

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As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

Cha)te* Fi5e - The Th+,-ht-Fa/t+* in A/hie5e2ent

All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts !n a justl" ordered universe# where loss of e*uipoise would mean total destruction# individual responsibilit" must be absolute A man)s weakness and strength# purit" and impurit"# are his own# and not another man)s The" are brought about b" himself# and not b" another% and the" can onl" be altered b" himself# never b" another ,is condition is also his own# and not another man)s ,is suffering and his happiness are evolved from within As he thinks# so he is% as he continues to think# so he remains A strong man cannot help a weaker unless the weaker is willing to be helped# and even then the weak man must become strong of himself ,e must# b" his own efforts# develop the strength which he admires in another ;one but himself can alter his condition !t has been usual for men to think and to sa"# $Man" men are slaves because one is an oppressor% let us hate the oppressor $ ;ow# however# there is among an increasing few a tendenc" to reverse this judgment# and to sa"# $0ne man is an oppressor because man" are slaves% let us despise the slaves $ The truth is that oppressor and slave are cooperators in ignorance# and# while seeming to afflict each other# are in realit" afflicting themselves A perfect 7nowledge perceives the action of law in the weakness of the oppressed and the misapplied power of the oppressor A perfect 1ove# seeing the suffering which both states entail# condemns neither A perfect <ompassion embraces both oppressor and oppressed ,e who has con*uered weakness# and has put awa" all selfish thoughts# belongs neither to oppressor nor oppressed ,e is free A man can onl" rise# con*uer# and achieve b" lifting up his thoughts ,e can onl" remain weak# and abject# and miserable b" refusing to lift up his thoughts -efore a man can achieve an"thing# even in worldl" things# he must lift his thoughts above slavish animal indulgence ,e ma" not# in order to succeed# give up all animalit" and selfishness# b" an" means% but a portion of it must# at least# be sacrificed A man whose first thought is bestial indulgence could neither think clearl" nor plan methodicall" ,e could not find and develop his latent resources# and would fail in an" undertaking ;ot having commenced manfull" to control his thoughts# he is not in a position to control affairs and to adopt serious responsibilities ,e is not fit to act independentl" and stand alone# but he is limited onl" b" the thoughts which he chooses There can be no progress# no achievement without sacrifice A man)s worldl" success will be in the measure that he sacrifices his confused animal thoughts# and fixes his mind on the development of his plans# and the strengthening of his resolution and self reliance And the higher he lifts his thoughts# the more manl"# upright# and righteous he becomes# the greater will be his success# the more blessed an enduring will be his achievements The universe does not favor the greed"# the dishonest# the vicious# although on the mere surface it ma" sometimes appear to do so% it helps the honest# the magnanimous# the virtuous All the great Teachers of the ages have declared this in var"ing forms# and to prove and know it a man has but to persist in making himself more and more virtuous b" lifting up his thoughts

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As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

!ntellectual achievements are the result of thought consecrated to the search for knowledge# or for the beautiful and true in life and nature 3uch achievements ma" be sometimes connected with vanit" and ambition but the" are not the outcome of those characteristics The" are the natural outgrowth of long an arduous effort# and of pure and unselfish thoughts 3piritual achievements are the consummation of hol" aspirations ,e who lives constantl" in the conception of noble and loft" thoughts# who dwells upon all that is pure and unselfish# will# as surel" as the sun reaches its 6enith and the moon its full# become wise and noble in character# and rise into a position of influence and blessedness Achievement# of whatever kind# is the crown of effort# the diadem of thought -" the aid of selfcontrol# resolution# purit"# righteousness# and well-directed thought a man ascends -" the aid of animalit"# indolence# impurit"# corruption# and confusion of thought a man descends A man ma" rise to high success in the world# and even to loft" altitudes in the spiritual realm# and again descend into weakness and wretchedness b" allowing arrogant# selfish# and corrupt thoughts to take possession of him Fictories attained b" right thought can onl" be maintained b" watchfulness Man" give wa" when success is assured# and rapidl" fall back into failure All achievements# whether in the business# intellectual# or spiritual world# are the result of definitel" directed thought# are governed b" the same law and are of the same method% the onl" difference lies in the ob#e!t of attainment. ,e who would accomplish little must sacrifice little ,e who would achieve much must sacrifice much ,e who would attain highl" must sacrifice greatl"

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As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

Cha)te* Si6 - $isi+ns an. I.ea3s

The dreamers are the saviors of the world As the visible world is sustained b" the invisible# so men# through all their trials and sins and sordid vocations# are nourished b" the beautiful visions of their solitar" dreamers ,umanit" cannot forget its dreamers !t cannot let their ideals fade and die !t lives in them !t knows them in the realities which it shall one da" see and know <omposer# sculptor# painter# poet# prophet# sage# these are the makers of the afterworld# the architects of heaven The world is beautiful because the" have lived% without them# laboring humanit" would perish ,e who cherishes a beautiful vision# a loft" ideal in his heart# will one da" reali6e it <olumbus cherished a vision of another world# and he discovered it <opernicus fostered the vision of a multiplicit" of worlds and a wider universe# and he revealed it -uddha beheld the vision of a spiritual world of stainless beaut" and perfect peace# and he entered into it <herish "our visions <herish "our ideals <herish the music that stirs in "our heart# the beaut" that forms in "our mind# the loveliness that drapes "our purest thoughts# for out of them will grow all delightful conditions# all heavenl" environment% of these# if "ou but remain true to them# "our world will at last be built To desire is to obtain% to aspire is to achieve 3hall man)s basest desires receive the fullest measure of gratification# and his purest aspirations starve for lack of sustenance= 3uch is not the 1aw 3uch a condition of things can never obtain - $Ask and receive $ .ream loft" dreams# and as "ou dream# so shall "ou become >our Fision is the promise of what "ou shall one da" be >our !deal is the prophec" of what "ou shall at last unveil The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream The oak sleeps in the acorn% the bird waits in the egg% and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs .reams are the seedlings of realities >our circumstances ma" be uncongenial# but the" shall not long remain so if "ou but perceive an !deal and strive to reach it >ou cannot travel within and stand still without ,ere is a "outh hard pressed b" povert" and labor% confined long hours in an unhealth" workshop% unschooled# and lacking all the arts of refinement -ut he dreams of better things ,e thinks of intelligence# of refinement# of grace and beaut" ,e conceives of# mentall" builds up# an ideal condition of life The vision of the wider libert" and a larger scope takes possession of him% unrest urges him to action# and he utili6es all his spare time and means# small though the" are# to the development of his latent powers and resources Fer" soon so altered has his mind become that the workshop can no longer hold him !t has become so out of harmon" with his mentalit" that it falls out of his life as a garment is cast aside# and with the growth of opportunities which fit the scope of his expanding powers# he passes out of it forever >ears later we see this "outh as a full-grown man 2e find him a master of certain forces of the mind which he wields with world-wide influence and almost une*ualed power !n his hands he holds the cords of gigantic responsibilities ,e speaks# and loB lives are changed Men and women

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As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

hang upon his words and remold their characters# and# sunlike# he becomes the fixed and luminous center around which innumerable destinies revolve ,e has reali6ed the Fision of his "outh ,e has become one with his !deal And "ou# too# "outhful reader# will reali6e the Fision (not the idle wish) of "our heart# be it base or beautiful# or a mixture of both# for "ou will alwa"s gravitate toward that which "ou secretl" most love !nto "our hands will be placed the exact results of "our own thoughts% "ou will receive that which "ou earn# no more# no less 2hatever "our present environment ma" be# "ou will fall# remain# or rise with "our thoughts# "our Fision# "our !deal >ou will become as small as "our controlling desire% as great as "our dominant aspiration !n the beautiful words of 3tanton 7irkham .ave# $>ou ma" be keeping accounts# and presentl" "ou shall walk out of the door that for so long has seemed to "ou the barrier of "our ideals# and shall find "ourself before an audience - the pen still behind "our ear# the ink stains on "our fingers - and then and there shall pour out the torrent of "our inspiration >ou ma" be driving sheep# and "ou shall wander to the cit" - bucolic and open mouthed% shall wander under the intrepid guidance of the spirit into the studio of the master# and after a time he shall sa"# )! have nothing more to teach "ou ) And now "ou have become the master# who did so recentl" dream of great things while driving sheep >ou shall la" down the saw and the plane to take upon "ourself the regeneration of the world $ The thoughtless# the ignorant# and the indolent# seeing onl" the apparent effects of things and not the things themselves# talk of luck# of fortune# and chance 3ee a man grow rich# the" sa"# $,ow luck" he isB$ 0bserving another become intellectual# the" exclaim# $,ow highl" favored he isB$ And noting the saintl" character and wide influence of another# the remark# $,ow chance aids him at ever" turnB$ The" do not see the trials and failures and struggles which these men have voluntaril" encountered in order to gain their experience The" have no knowledge of the sacrifices the" have made# of the undaunted efforts the" have put forth# of the faith the" have exercised# that the" might overcome the apparentl" insurmountable# and reali6e the Fision of their heart The" do not know the darkness and the heartaches% the" onl" see the light and jo"# and call it $luck$% do not see the long and arduous journe"# but onl" behold the pleasant goal# and call it $good fortune$% do not understand the process# but onl" perceive the result# and call it $chance $ !n all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result <hance is not $+ifts#$ powers# material# intellectual# and spiritual possessions are the fruits of effort The" are thoughts completed# objects accomplished# visions reali6ed The vision that "ou glorif" in "our mind# the !deal that "ou enthrone in "our heart - this "ou will build "our life b"# this "ou will become

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As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

Cha)te* Se5en - Se*enit4

<almness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom !t is the result of long and patient effort in self-control !ts presence is an indication of ripened experience# and of a more than ordinar" knowledge of the laws and operations of thought A man becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a thought-evolved being# for such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought As he develops a right understanding# and sees more and more clearl" the internal relations of things b" the action of cause and effect# he ceases to fuss and fume and worr" and grieve# and remains poised# steadfast# serene The calm man# having learned how to govern himself# knows how to adapt himself to others% and the"# in turn# reverence his spiritual strength# and feel that the" can learn of him and rel" upon him The more tran*uil a man becomes# the greater is his success# his influence# his power for good 9ven the ordinar" trader will find his business prosperit" increase as he develops a greater self-control and e*uanimit"# for people will alwa"s prefer to deal with a man whose demeanor is strongl" e*uable The strong calm man is alwa"s loved and revered ,e is like a shade-giving tree in a thirst" land# or a sheltering rock in a storm 2ho does not love a tran*uil heart# a sweet-tempered# balanced life= !t does not matter whether it rains or shines# or what changes come to those possessing these blessings# for the" are alwa"s sweet# serene# and calm That ex*uisite poise of character which we call serenit" is the last lesson culture% it is the flowering of life# the fruitage of the soul !t is precious as wisdom# more to be desired than gold - "ea# than even fine gold ,ow insignificant mere mone"-seeking looks in comparison with a serene life - a life that dwells in the ocean of Truth# beneath the waves# be"ond the reach of tempests# in the 9ternal <almB $,ow man" people we know who sour their lives# who ruin all that is sweet and beautiful b" explosive tempers# who destro" their poise of character# and make bad bloodB !t is a *uestion whether the great majorit" of people do not ruin their lives and mar their happiness b" lack of self-control ,ow few people we meet in life who are well-balanced# who have that ex*uisite poise which is characteristic of the finished characterB$ >es# humanit" surges with uncontrolled passion# is tumultuous with ungoverned grief# is blown about b" anxiet" and doubt 0nl" the wise man# onl" he whose thoughts are controlled and purified# makes the winds and the storms of the soul obe" him Tempest-tossed souls# wherever "e ma" be# under whatsoever conditions "e ma" live# know this in the ocean of life the isles of -lessedness are smiling# and sunn" shore of "our ideal awaits "our coming 7eep "our hand firml" upon the helm of thought !n the bark of "our soul reclines the commanding Master% ,e does but sleep% wake ,im 3elf-control is strength% Gight Thought is master"% <almness is power ,ay unto your heart, (-ea!e, be still.(

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As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

The End

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