Of all the books I have read ever
since I was blessed with the gift of literacy, one book that stands out in
thought-provocation and economy of words is a long-lost 27-paged classic by
James Allen entitled AS A MAN THINKETH.
Characteristically, I have often
shared this book with friends, but most of them dont get to read it to the end
because of its "rugged" language. And they therefore dont get blessed
by the priceless wisdoms Mr Allen grafted in the book.
What I have therefore chosen to do in
order to get as many of my friends to benefit from the book is to share some
extracts of the book in digestable bits. I believe this will be easier to
comprehend and even create a thirst to read the book itself in everyone. Where
Mr Allen's language was more complex for easy understanding, I have paraphrased
for easy understanding without compromising his semantic and his depth.
Below are the excerpts from the first
chapter of the book.
Enjoy!
THOUGHT AND CHARACTER
A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the
complete sum (total results) of all his thoughts. 5
As the plant springs from…the seed, so every act of man springs
from the hidden seeds of thought…This applies equally to those acts called
“spontaneous” as to those which are deliberately executed. 5
Act is the blossom (manifestation) of thought…joy and
suffering are its fruitage (fruits); thus…a man garner in (reaps) the sweet and
bitter fruitage of his own husbandry. 5
We are wrought (constructed) and built by thought. 5
(paraphrased)
Man is a growth by law, and not a creation by artifice. 5
Cause and effect are as absolute and undeviating in the
hidden realm of thought as in the world of visible and material things. 5
A noble and God-like character is not a thing of favour or
chance, but is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, (as
well as) the effect of long-cherished association with God-like thoughts. An
ignoble and bestial character…is the result of the continued harbouring of
grovelling thoughts. 5
Man is made or unmade by himself. In the armoury of
thought 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. 6
By the right choice and true application of thought, man
ascends to…divine perfection. By the abuse and wrong application of thought he
descends below the level of the beasts. [Between these two extremes are all the
grades of character, and man is their maker and master]. 6
Man is the master of thought, the moulder of (his own)
character, and the maker and shaper of (his) condition, environment, and
destiny. 6
As a being of power, intelligence, and love, and the lord
of his own thoughts, man holds the key to every situation, and contains within
himself that transforming and regenerative agency by which he may make himself
what he wills. 6
Man is always the master, even in his weakest and most
abandoned state. But in his weakness and degradation he is a foolish master who
misgoverns his “household” (i.e. his life). When he begins to reflect upon his
condition and search diligently for the law upon which his being is established,
he then becomes the wise master, directing his energies with intelligence and
fashioning his thoughts to fruitful issues. 6
Only by much searching and mining are gold and diamonds
obtained, and man can find every truth connected with his being, if he will dig
deep into the mine of his soul. 6
A man may truly prove that he is the maker of his
character, the moulder of his life, and the builder of his destiny if he will
watch, control, and alter his thoughts; tracing their effects upon himself,
upon others and upon his life and circumstances; linking cause and effect by
patient practice and investigation. And utilizing his every experience (even
the most trivial, everyday occurrence) as a means of obtaining that knowledge
of himself which is understanding, wisdom and power. 6 (paraphrased)
Only by patience, practice, and ceaseless importunity
(tireless persistence) can a man enter the door of the temple of (self-)
knowledge. 7
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