As a Man Thinketh

DNF'd 08/09/2025, at 20%

I do believe that our thoughts matter, immensely. I do believe we don't have to be at the whim of any of our random, unchecked thoughts. We can be happier, suffer less, if we work on that.

But I do not believe, as Allen, does,

Every man is where he is by 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 harmony" with their surroundings as of those who are contented with them.

There are those that no amount of better thinking will change the circumstances: The innocent people in Gaza, those in America nabbed by show more ICE (some even while in court for an immigration status hearing), those sent to gas chambers in Germany, those viscously persecuted for being gay or lesbian throughout the ages...

Do you think that they were brought to those circumstances by their thoughts as Allen says?

I agree with the single premise that we can better manage our thoughts, but everyone should disagree heartily how ignorantly far Allen took the premise.

Not only ignorant, I found that attitude--that thought--distressingly unhelpful. show less

Por un lado si que creo que en general ocurre lo que piensas que va a ocurrir, para bien o para mal. Y que por tanto tener pensamientos correctos o positivos es bueno. En ese aspecto el libro lleva un buen mensaje.
Pero una cosa es esta tendencia y otra la absoluta certeza del autor, que llega a decir que si estas enfermo es que algun mal pensamiento estarias teniendo.
Esa certeza irracional y el hecho de repetirse hasta la saciedad es lo que le gana la baja puntuacion.

This book might be very short, but it goes straight to the point: happiness is about being virtuous. Cultivating positive thoughts and having a positive outlook at others and our circumstances and, acting upon it (by being kind and helpful etc.) is not being stupid or naive. On the contrary! It helps attracting positive people, the right kind of people who, by returning favours that is, being in turn kind and helpful to you will not only make your life easier and more enjoyable but, could also open up positive opportunities. That's the core of Allen's ethos: 'men don't attract what they want, but what they are'. It is indeed our thinking that affects our behaviours which, in turn, affect how we are treated -our circumstances. This is show more not about riches and material wealth but, richness of the heart. Everyone believing that to make our lives better we have to start by changing ourselves (instead of blaming around and complaining), that being happy starts by making others happy, should read this book! Short but, a true jewel. show less

Por un lado si que creo que en general ocurre lo que piensas que va a ocurrir, para bien o para mal. Y que por tanto tener pensamientos correctos o positivos es bueno. En ese aspecto el libro lleva un buen mensaje.
Pero una cosa es esta tendencia y otra la absoluta certeza del autor, que llega a decir que si estas enfermo es que algun mal pensamiento estarias teniendo.
Esa certeza irracional y el hecho de repetirse hasta la saciedad es lo que le gana la baja puntuacion.

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.

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 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.

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 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, show more As a Man Thinketh. show less