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As a Man Thinketh and the Path of Prosperity
?The world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going.? A pioneer of the self-help movement, James Allen is best known as an inspirational writer. The essence of his works lies in the teachings of various religions and in the preaching of world's greatest philosophers. Allen's widely acclaimed book, As a Man Thinketh, foregrounds the power of thought, ?the man is literally what he thinks?. The Path of Prosperity highlights the necessity of self-realization as it is the only way to achieve success and prosperity in life. Simplified for better understanding of the readers, the book tactfully presents some core mantras that would help transform our dreams into realities.
112 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2005
64 people are currently reading
809 people want to read
About the author
James Allen
1,751 books1,201 followersThe James Allen Free Library
Allen was 15 when his father, a businessman, was robbed and murdered. He left school to work full-time in several British manufacturing firms to help support the family. He later married Lily L. Allen and became an executive secretary for a large company. At age 38, inspired by the writings of Leo Tolstoy, he retired from employment. Allen — along with his wife and their daughter, Nohra — moved to a small cottage in Ilfracombe, Devon, England to pursue a simple life of contemplation. There he wrote for nine years, producing 19 works. He also edited and published a magazine, "The Light of Reason".
Allen's books illustrate the use of the power of thought to increase personal capabilities. Although he never achieved great fame or wealth, his works continue to influence people around the world, including the New Thought movement.
Allen's most famous book, As a Man Thinketh, was published in 1902. It is now considered a classic self-help book. Its underlying premise is that noble thoughts make a noble person, while lowly thoughts make a miserable person.
Following his death in 1912, his wife continued publishing the magazine under the name, "The Epoch".
Allen was 15 when his father, a businessman, was robbed and murdered. He left school to work full-time in several British manufacturing firms to help support the family. He later married Lily L. Allen and became an executive secretary for a large company. At age 38, inspired by the writings of Leo Tolstoy, he retired from employment. Allen — along with his wife and their daughter, Nohra — moved to a small cottage in Ilfracombe, Devon, England to pursue a simple life of contemplation. There he wrote for nine years, producing 19 works. He also edited and published a magazine, "The Light of Reason".
Allen's books illustrate the use of the power of thought to increase personal capabilities. Although he never achieved great fame or wealth, his works continue to influence people around the world, including the New Thought movement.
Allen's most famous book, As a Man Thinketh, was published in 1902. It is now considered a classic self-help book. Its underlying premise is that noble thoughts make a noble person, while lowly thoughts make a miserable person.
Following his death in 1912, his wife continued publishing the magazine under the name, "The Epoch".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 4, 2024
This book is broken into seven chapters to align your perception that “They themselves are makers of themselves” by taking ownership of your thoughts.
Two points that really stood out for me were:
1. The body is the servant of the mind.
2. Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and grace.
Highly recommend this book and should be revisit in part periodically to strengthen your thought patterns.
Two points that really stood out for me were:
1. The body is the servant of the mind.
2. Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and grace.
Highly recommend this book and should be revisit in part periodically to strengthen your thought patterns.
October 5, 2020
This book is like one of the foundational scriptures to the modern, western self-help book. The very rooted idea or essence of these books are biblical. There is no self-help book which does not touch the very essence of 'As a Man Thinketh'! The book 'Secret' by Rhonda Byrne is popular among those.
This book can read within an hour. You can obtain a 22-page version of the book. But even it is 85 page, the content is the same. Crisp, elegant and direct.
Read and Reflect. Again, read and reflect and squeeze the juice of wisdom out of it.
This book can read within an hour. You can obtain a 22-page version of the book. But even it is 85 page, the content is the same. Crisp, elegant and direct.
Read and Reflect. Again, read and reflect and squeeze the juice of wisdom out of it.
June 15, 2012
Ummm, a little too close to magical thinking for my taste
April 18, 2020
This little book is a good one to re-read every month to remember the important things and our role in their fulfillment.
May 6, 2025
This book fundamentally explores the concept that your thoughts shape your actions and ultimately define who you are. It's an insightful reminder that our mindset directly influences our behavior. Overall, it's a okay read that encourages self reflection and personal growth.
July 26, 2021
In the ocean of life the isles of blessedness are smiling, and the sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming.
September 8, 2023
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 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.
September 24, 2018
This work by James Allen is more than a book . On its pages , he has brought to us in a beautiful way how one can rise from the shackles of poverty mediocrity to the height to enduring success . By success he means not only professional success but also uplift oneself spiritually . The journey of every Soul in this Planet must be conducted in a way that it ends up being in a better state than when it arrived . To do so , he explains the various ways such as be noble in thought deed and action . The outer Me is a reflection of the Inner Self . He brings forth the Eternal Law that each one is paid for one's actions be they Good or Evil
I will visit this book again and again to maintain equanimity
I will visit this book again and again to maintain equanimity
January 9, 2010
I would give four stars to As A Man Thinketh. My five star rating is for The Path of Prosperity. I wish I could upload the entire text of that one into my brain for instant reference whenever I need it. So poetically and truthfully written. Really, both are very simply written books, and nothing new if you've read newer books by Wayne Dyer and those like him, as I have. But the truth IS simple, and I wish The Path of Prosperity were required reading in high schools. We'd all be better for it.
A+. I'll be coming back to these, especially the latter, again and again for the rest of my life, I imagine.
A+. I'll be coming back to these, especially the latter, again and again for the rest of my life, I imagine.
September 6, 2021
"They themselves are the makers of themselves".
The books starts with this line and talks about power of thought. But it keeps on preaching the same thing again and again. It is basically English with no logic or anecdotes included anywhere. The narrative goes too superfluous in the middle and talks about soul and spirituality.
Probably not suitable to my taste.
The books starts with this line and talks about power of thought. But it keeps on preaching the same thing again and again. It is basically English with no logic or anecdotes included anywhere. The narrative goes too superfluous in the middle and talks about soul and spirituality.
Probably not suitable to my taste.
April 23, 2009
James Allen wrote long time ago things that definately apply. He shows the link in how we think and what eventually happens. Really motivating and exceptional writing.
October 12, 2012
This is the best book ever! The insights that are found here are so helpful and useful.
February 3, 2025
Finished this one (actually 2 books in one). First part “As A Man Thinketh” I liked! It was short & full of great wisdom. But the second “From Poverty to Power” I didn’t care for so much. It was also full of wisdom but somewhat repetitive & was harder to get into due to the older style of writing. Some of the ideals are somewhat dated as well. Overall I give this combo 2/5 ⭐️⭐️
Quotes I liked:
“The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors, that which it loves, and also that which it fears; it reaches the height of its cherished aspirations; it falls to the level of its basest desires—and circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own.”
“Suffering is always the effect of setting thought in some direction. It is an indication that we are out of harmony with ourselves.”
“We may imagine that thought can need key secret, but it cannot; it rapidly crystallizes into habit, and habit solidifies into circumstance.”
“How insignificant mere money seeking looks in comparison with a serene life—a life that dwells in the ocean of truth, beneath the waves, beyond the reach of tempests, in the eternal calm.”
“Yes, humanity surges with uncontrolled passion, is tumultuous with ungoverned grief, is blown about by anxiety and doubt. Only those whose thoughts are controlled and purified make the winds and the storms of the sky obey them.”
“To the many, the ocean is but a dreary expanse of water on which ships sale and are sometimes wrecked; to the soul of the musician it is a living thing, and she hears, in all its changing moods, divine harmonies. “
“Your dominant trends of thought are the determining factors in your destiny.”
“As the smallest drop of water, detached from the ocean, contains all the qualities of the ocean, so we, detached and consciousness from the Infinite, contain within ourselves it’s likeness; and as the drop of water must, by the law of its nature, ultimately find its way back to the ocean, and lose itself in its silent depths, so must we, by the unfailing law of our nature, at last return to our source and lose ourselves in the great ocean of the Infinite.”
Quotes I liked:
“The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors, that which it loves, and also that which it fears; it reaches the height of its cherished aspirations; it falls to the level of its basest desires—and circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own.”
“Suffering is always the effect of setting thought in some direction. It is an indication that we are out of harmony with ourselves.”
“We may imagine that thought can need key secret, but it cannot; it rapidly crystallizes into habit, and habit solidifies into circumstance.”
“How insignificant mere money seeking looks in comparison with a serene life—a life that dwells in the ocean of truth, beneath the waves, beyond the reach of tempests, in the eternal calm.”
“Yes, humanity surges with uncontrolled passion, is tumultuous with ungoverned grief, is blown about by anxiety and doubt. Only those whose thoughts are controlled and purified make the winds and the storms of the sky obey them.”
“To the many, the ocean is but a dreary expanse of water on which ships sale and are sometimes wrecked; to the soul of the musician it is a living thing, and she hears, in all its changing moods, divine harmonies. “
“Your dominant trends of thought are the determining factors in your destiny.”
“As the smallest drop of water, detached from the ocean, contains all the qualities of the ocean, so we, detached and consciousness from the Infinite, contain within ourselves it’s likeness; and as the drop of water must, by the law of its nature, ultimately find its way back to the ocean, and lose itself in its silent depths, so must we, by the unfailing law of our nature, at last return to our source and lose ourselves in the great ocean of the Infinite.”
July 25, 2020
Ruling the mind and heart for more than over a century, This small book stands tall till now, Most people knew about the book, maybe few of them have never read it, but they do know about this small book, You can complete the whole book in an hour or so, but it will stay with you till the end of time.
the book is not explanatory, it's suggestive in nature, James Allen in this book wants to stimulate men and women in thinking on how thought affects them and their behavior, how they are the makers of themselves.
From the book "He is a maker of his character, the molder of his life and the builder of his destiny."
As I have told you earlier the book has a very direct approach, and sometimes harsh, although the truth is always harsh in nature, and it can't be explanatory. like there is a line in the book that I would like to share with you guys and I am not quoting it I am just paraphrasing it, as I don't remember the exact words, "Circumstances doesn't make anyone do anything, it just reveals the true nature of a person".
so a criminal is not a criminal because of the circumstances, the seeds are always in there looking for an opportunity to reveal itself, In short, if you are serious person, looking for some serious insight and suggestions, you will like the book
the book is not explanatory, it's suggestive in nature, James Allen in this book wants to stimulate men and women in thinking on how thought affects them and their behavior, how they are the makers of themselves.
From the book "He is a maker of his character, the molder of his life and the builder of his destiny."
As I have told you earlier the book has a very direct approach, and sometimes harsh, although the truth is always harsh in nature, and it can't be explanatory. like there is a line in the book that I would like to share with you guys and I am not quoting it I am just paraphrasing it, as I don't remember the exact words, "Circumstances doesn't make anyone do anything, it just reveals the true nature of a person".
so a criminal is not a criminal because of the circumstances, the seeds are always in there looking for an opportunity to reveal itself, In short, if you are serious person, looking for some serious insight and suggestions, you will like the book
December 13, 2021
Had I been reading this one in my twenties, it would have surely blown my mind and given me a serious dose of intellectuality that I would have tried to throw around me during conversations with supposedly equally(or less) intellectual people, as it's no less than a treasure chest of all the inspirational quotes we see every now and then on Pinterest and Instagram.
But since we have already been exposed to so many books on self-esteem and "how a man should think and live", this book would be like "hmmm... hmmm...Oh this quote is nice... Let me save it somewhere" and that's all.
You can read it if you don't want to pick up a thick one and want to complete your reading challenge, like I did. Haha.
But since we have already been exposed to so many books on self-esteem and "how a man should think and live", this book would be like "hmmm... hmmm...Oh this quote is nice... Let me save it somewhere" and that's all.
You can read it if you don't want to pick up a thick one and want to complete your reading challenge, like I did. Haha.
March 10, 2022
A book to Understand and Feel rather than just reading.
TAKE AWAY :
1] CHARECTER A COMLETE SUM OF ALL HIS THOUGHTS
2] THE BODY IS THE SERVANT OF MIND
3]CHANGE OD DIET WILL NOT HELP A MAN WHO WILL NOT CHANGE HIS THOUGHTS
4] IF YOU WANT TO PROTECT YOUR BODY , GAURD YOUR MIND
IF YOU WANT TO RENEW YOUR BODY , BEAUTY YOUR MIND
5] UNTILL THOUGHT IS LINKED WITH PURPOSE , THERE IS NO INTELLIGENCE ACCOMPLISHED
6] DOUBT AND FEAR ARE GREAT ENIMIES OF KNOWLEDGE
7] A MAN CAN RISE , CONQUERE AND ACHIEVE BY LIFTING HIS THOUGHTS
8] DREAMS ARE SEADLINGS OF REALITY
9] A STRONG MAN CANNOT HELP A WEAKER UNLESS THE WEAKER IS WILLING TO BE HELPED
10] THERE CAN BE NO PROGRESS , NO ACHIEVEMENT WITHOUT SACRIFICE
TAKE AWAY :
1] CHARECTER A COMLETE SUM OF ALL HIS THOUGHTS
2] THE BODY IS THE SERVANT OF MIND
3]CHANGE OD DIET WILL NOT HELP A MAN WHO WILL NOT CHANGE HIS THOUGHTS
4] IF YOU WANT TO PROTECT YOUR BODY , GAURD YOUR MIND
IF YOU WANT TO RENEW YOUR BODY , BEAUTY YOUR MIND
5] UNTILL THOUGHT IS LINKED WITH PURPOSE , THERE IS NO INTELLIGENCE ACCOMPLISHED
6] DOUBT AND FEAR ARE GREAT ENIMIES OF KNOWLEDGE
7] A MAN CAN RISE , CONQUERE AND ACHIEVE BY LIFTING HIS THOUGHTS
8] DREAMS ARE SEADLINGS OF REALITY
9] A STRONG MAN CANNOT HELP A WEAKER UNLESS THE WEAKER IS WILLING TO BE HELPED
10] THERE CAN BE NO PROGRESS , NO ACHIEVEMENT WITHOUT SACRIFICE
August 12, 2021
The book is a quick read and contains a lot of points without stretching out things. But in case you have already read the secret you might find some points as repetitive. The major difference is that secret shows you a path of action to follow in case you are actually trying to implement the facts stated there whereas this book gives you a broad outlook and DIY points. A difficult read for a beginner but in case you are looking for some encouragement you can go for it for sure. You are what you think is the basic underlined thought in this book.
March 28, 2021
Everything is within you. Your way of thinking is the reason for the life you are living. Focus on your way of thinking. Spread love, be kind to others, work for others welfare and you don't have to seek for happiness, you will always find happiness standing besides you.
This book teach us everything you need in your life. Wonderful book.
Read Read and Read again and implement those teachings in your life and change your life.❤
This book teach us everything you need in your life. Wonderful book.
Read Read and Read again and implement those teachings in your life and change your life.❤
January 16, 2024
This books talks a lot about the power of thoughts. You thoughts can render you powerful or powerless, purposeful or purposeless and even your thoughts can make other men oppress you. Just make use of your thoughts and see how powerful you'll be. A man can only rise, conquer, and achieve by lifting up his thoughts. He can only remain weak, and abject, and miserable by refusing to lift up his thoughts.
July 1, 2020
A Short Read...Which Tells Eloboratly About Thoughts...Our Thoughts Are Responsible For Our Character, Circumstances, Health, Purpose, Achivement and Serenity.
Favourite line:
Act is the Blossom Of Thought, Joy And Suffering Are Their Fruits.Thus Does A Man Garner In The Sweet And Bitter Fruitage Of His Own Husbandry.
Favourite line:
Act is the Blossom Of Thought, Joy And Suffering Are Their Fruits.Thus Does A Man Garner In The Sweet And Bitter Fruitage Of His Own Husbandry.
November 11, 2020
Written in a spiritual tone on the premise that almost everything that one undergoes is solely based on his and his thoughts alone.
While this is something I don't really thinks applies to every field and have to debate about its practicality, this is a good read over a weekend as this is relatively small.
While this is something I don't really thinks applies to every field and have to debate about its practicality, this is a good read over a weekend as this is relatively small.
July 24, 2018
Good book to know about yourself... But as i read this book i didn't know where i ready previously .... At all the book has a path to deep thinking... All is depend upon our thought... Our thought makes or destroy us.
February 13, 2021
Life is just a mould of our own thought process. Calmness and peace of mind is the key to having a beautiful life. I would recommend this book to all the people, short in size but very big in lessons.
April 23, 2021
James Allen starter of the self-help movement has gracefully summed up the spirituality of achieving anything a human can think of. A must-read for every alternate month to keep up the good spirit alive.
January 30, 2023
Easy read but every line is worth in gold. Typical classics who speaks less and means alot. This book can be read in one sitting but to gulp down the actual thought it requires the life time for some.
December 27, 2023
Realizing the power of thoughts and words is a game-changer. Even if you've slipped up before, reflecting on it and taking lessons can help you steer things in a better direction. "As a Man Thinketh" can be a solid reminder to keep those positive vibes in your head for the long run.
December 13, 2018
I don't have some amazing articulate review. The good book to help put you in the mindset I've nurturing yourself and others.
November 14, 2019
Act is a blossom of thought.
September 8, 2020
Each page of this book is inspiring.
May 3, 2021
Short yet powerful writing. Thoughts make you, thoughts destroy you, thoughts are you. Thoughts can change the circumstances. 💡
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews