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“As a Man Thinketh” is a self-help book written by James Allen and was first published in 1903. Let’s delve into its essence:
- Overview:
- As a Man Thinketh deals with the power of thought and its application to create happy and beautiful outcomes in life.
- James Allen aimed to make the book simple and accessible to all readers, emphasizing that each person holds the key to their own life conditions through their thoughts.
- The book asserts that our thoughts shape our reality, and by working patiently and intelligently on our thoughts, we can transform our circumstances.
- Biblical Influence:
- The title is inspired by a verse from the Book of Proverbs (chapter 23, verse 7): “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
- The full passage from the King James Version reads:“Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.”
- While the biblical passage advises caution when accepting generosity, Allen’s work focuses on the reader’s own thoughts and their impact.
- Key Message:
- The opening lines of the book set the tone:“Mind is the Master power that moulds and makes,
And Man is Mind, and evermore he takes
The tool of Thought, and, shaping what he wills,
Brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills:
— He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass:
Environment is but his looking-glass.”
- Legacy and Availability:
- As a Man Thinketh has become a classic in the self-help genre.
- James Allen’s essay is now in the public domain in the United States and many other countries.
- It was released as a Project Gutenberg e-text edition on October 1, 2003.
In summary, this timeless work encourages us to recognize the immense power of our thoughts and use them consciously to shape our lives. 🌟📚💭!As a Man Thinketh