The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World

by Kent M. Keith

In the 1960s, student leaders everywhere dreamed of changing the world via radical action. Kent Keith, experiencing the turmoil of student activism at Harvard, had a different the world may be crazy, but if you act well and meaningfully, the world will change for the better--and so will you. He called it a "Silent Revolution." His own manifesto, published as part of a handbook for student leaders, was a set of "Paradoxical Commandments." Over the years, these Paradoxical Commandments have traveled round the globe and been cited, borrowed, appropriated, and circulated in speeches and books, and on the Internet--sometimes credited, mostly anonymous. The author's discovery that they had been posted on a wall of Mother Teresa's Children's Home in Calcutta finally prompted him to build this inspiring book around them. Kent Keith illustrates the Paradoxical Commandments with moving stories from his own life experience as well as classic examples set by many famous figures who persevered and thrived despite every kind of adversity. In a crazy world, the paradoxical life is, in the end, the most rewarding "If you can find personal meaning without the world's applause, you are free. You are free to be who you really are. You are free to be what you were meant to be. You are free to find the meaning that others miss. And when you find that meaning, you will find a happiness deeper than any you have ever known."

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Inspirational, Personal Growth, Personal Development, Philosophy, Spirituality

91 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Kent M. Keith was born in New York and studied at Harvard, Oxford University, Waseda University in Tokyo, the University of Hawaii and the University of Southern California. He is a Rhodes Scholar.

Dr. Keith is known nationally and internationally as the author of the Paradoxical Commandments, which he wrote and published in 1968 in a booklet for student leaders entitled, The Silent Revolution: Dynamic Leadership in the Student Council . His books, "Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments," "Do It Anyway: The Handbook for Finding Personal Meaning and Deep Happiness in a Crazy World" and " Jesus Did It Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments for Christians" discuss these concepts.

Dr. Keith practiced law and worked for the State of Hawaii Department of Planning and Economic Development. For six years he served as President of Chaminade University of Honolulu, and for five and a half years he was Senior Vice President for Development & Communications for the YMCA of Honolulu. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. He is the author

Reviews

[Camela · Rating 4 out of 5]

In an attempt to bring some clarity into my working life, I re-read Anyway for the third time. It seems that each time reading this book, there are monstrous changes occurring that I have little control over. The first time, my then boss loaned me his copy to read. I found it inspiring and, at that time, it helped me to realize that the energy I was pouring into my role was necessary regardless of what others thought or how I perceived what others thought. After this first read, I purchased my own copy, keeping it at my bedside for affirmation for a considerable length of time. Eventually, it made its way to a bookshelf in my home office. The past year has been incredibly difficult for me professionally. It was definitely time to pick up Anyway to renew that spark in me that says "Give the world the best you have anyway". While I may not be in complete control of the chaotic project I am involved in, I can continue to offer my best. In the end, if that is not enough to allow success of the project, I will still be able to say I did what I could.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going to read it again.

"People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
*Love them anyway*"

[Liberty {LittyLibby} · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, I feel like I've read many of these quotes in memes, haha! Like "People are going to be mean/ selfish/ hateful/ etc, but love them ANYWAY." I scroll past them now, our feeds are so filled with this inspirational stuff.

But the one paradoxical commandant from this book that helped me right now was, "People need help, but they might attack you for helping them. Help them ANYWAY."

Quick little book, read it in a couple of hours. It's a good reminder to live life at our best, regardless of how others interpret us/judge us/try to hold us back or keep us down. And the same could be said about ourselves, as we are our own critical judge, holding ourselves back sometimes.
The point is, despite all that, do the good thing and the right thing ANYWAY.

[Tamara]

One of the most amazing books. Really taught me how to deal with this crazy world. Life is like a test, the way to pass, is to constantly better you. You can do that by reading. Read your holy-book, read the paradoxical commandments, read anything. Anything that’s meant to guide you. After all, the best way to pass a test is with a study guide. Let this be your guide.
I'm inspired.

[Renee Oxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad handed me this book on my way out the door . It’s straight to the point. A good reminder of how to show up for the people in your life and for yourself. It was a really good short inspirational book.

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purchased this book when it first came out. My favorite psychology professor in college gave me the poem "anyway" with the paradoxical commandments. I always enjoyed it and used it when I worked with college students. I was surprised when I saw the book and was happy to finally learn the official origins of these statements. The book sat on my shelf for 7 years and I finally pulled it out to read. As always I enjoy the commandments and the author expands on each in a predicatable way. It is the typical, work hard for yourself type of message, do good, be honest, etc. The expanded words of the author are not special in any way. My preference is to periodically read the initial statements and you can have your own thoughts and experiences to support them. The book would be a good gift for a high school and/or college student.

[Donna Daritan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One personal take-away:
Find personal meaning in life regardless of external influences and circumstances.

"… if you can find personal meaning without the world’s applause, you are free. You are free to do what makes sense to you, whether or not others appreciate it. You are free to be who you really are. You are free to be who you were meant to be. You are free to find the meaning that others miss. And when you find that meaning, you will find a happiness deeper than any you have ever known."
- Kent M. Keith

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good food for thought!

[WALEED · Rating 4 out of 5]

"People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway."

"If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway."

"If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway."

"The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway."

"Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway."

"The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas
can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway."

"People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway."

"What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway."

"People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway."

"Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway."

[Abdullah Al-Abri · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfg2U...

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments – Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World:
By Kent M. Keith.

On the last page of Mother Teresa’s book: ‘A Simple Path,’ a poem called ‘Anyway’ appears. It is listed because it also serves as a sign on the wall of Shishu Bhavan, the children’s home in Calcutta. The poem itself is a condensed version of the book ‘Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments’ -by Kent Keith. So I sought out the extended variety and the stories he had brewing behind them. What I found was inspiring and expected yet unexpected. He talks about his successes and how he gained and lost them but found others in their place. Coming from a Governor Assistant and Rhodes Scholar who has seen friends come and go, this is every bit as meaningful as he asks us to be.
He says when more people are focused on meaning and less focused on “success” the world will start to make sense. People will pitch in to help without worrying about who gets the credit. People will help each other without worrying about who gets ahead in the company hierarchy. They will live their values and follow their hearts, and work they were born to do, even if it does not lead to power and wealth and prestige. The world will be a lot less crazy when meaning-oriented individuals are out in front, addressing real needs and solving real problems.
“Whatever you choose to do, one thing is certain: when you live the paradoxical life, you will find personal meaning in a crazy world. You will make a difference. You will change lives. One of the lives you change will be your own.” A story and personal revelation follows each of these and there’s a lot of truth to be found in all. I could have easily given it 5 stars but I think he could have given a little more background for why - these stories. It seemed a bit packaged. Still - great ideas to live and work by.
1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
3. If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
6. The biggest men and women with the brightest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.
7. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.
10. Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.

[Fara7 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple yet rich and profound.It is surprisingly personal in many of its parts. "The Paradoxical Commandments" were written by Kent M. Keith when he was 19, a sophomore at Harvard College. He wrote them as part of a book for student leaders entitled The Silent Revolution: Dynamic Leadership in the Student Council, published by Harvard Student Agencies in 1968. The Paradoxical Commandments subsequently spread all over the world, and have been used by millions of people.
Mother Teresa put "the Paradoxical Commandments" up on the wall of her children's home in Calcutta. The fact that the commandments were on her wall was reported in a book compiled by Lucinda Vardey, "Mother Teresa: A Simple Path", which was published in 1995. As a result, some people have attributed the Paradoxical Commandments wrongly to Mother Teresa.

*The famous poem; (Anyway) from the book:

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered,
LOVE THEM ANYWAY
If you do good, people will accuse you of
selfish, ulterior motives,
DO GOOD ANYWAY
If you are successful,
you win false friends and true enemies,
SUCCEED ANYWAY
The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow,
DO GOOD ANYWAY
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable,
BE HONEST AND FRANK ANYWAY
What you spent years building may be
destroyed overnight,
BUILD ANYWAY
People really need help
but may attack you if you help them,
HELP PEOPLE ANYWAY
Give the world the best you have
And you'll get kicked in the teeth,
GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU'VE GOT ANYWAY.

[Lynnelle Jellyman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to love the Paradoxical Commandments, made famous by Mother Teresa, and in theory, I do. The commandments obviously have a Christian basis, following in the vein of loving your enemies and turning the other cheek, but the book is mercifully un-religious, with only one biblical reference, that being to the parable of the Good Samaritan. The ideas presented run so counter-culture to prevalent values of looking after yourself first, amassing more wealth, cutting toxic people out of your life, wanting recognition and glory for all the 'good' things we do and so on. Doing 'right' and 'good' just because they are right and good absolutely contributes to finding more meaning in life and undoubtedly make the world a better place, but it's not a magic formula. The book also fails to address just how subjective these terms are, and even though Keith presents great stories illustrating his commandments, in the real world, a few anecdotes to back up your theory or worldview don't make it so. I don't mean to be cynical... and I will probably keep trying to live a 'good' and 'right' life that makes the world a better place, but will do so with a healthy dose of skepticism!

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not entirely sure why Kent Keith put this book together. Maybe just to remind people that he wrote the Paradoxical Commandments, not Mother Teresa or the Internet. Although that theory doesn't fit Keith's outlook on life - in my opinion at least.

I am however glad to be reminded of these commandments. Given all that is going on at work, it is good to be reminded of why I do what I do. I do want to love people, do good, help people and give the world my best. It is why I periodically reread Bolles, book - How to Find Your Mission in Life.

Keith doesn't have exactly the same message as that book, but both books are reminders that we do have a purpose. I am here to love and care for others. If I can keep those thoughts at the front of my brain, life will be good.

Thank you to Kent Keith and Toni Heer. This Thanksgiving weekend I needed the reminder.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of an amazing little book. The author penned the 'Paradoxical Commandments' when he was 19 years old, back in the 60's. He found out several years later that they had travelled the world, and were even hanging on the wall of Mother Teresa's office in the Calcutta Children's Home. This led him to write the book and tell stories wrapped around each of the commandments. Here's an example of one of his commandments [and hence the paradox]:

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. DO GOOD ANYWAY.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not meant to be read by an LDS person. I say that because the whole thing has been one bug "DUH"! That said, I think that this book has a good message. It goes in short chapters, so it is good for someone who likes to read a bit at a time, or bathroom read. For me, this worked out not so good, since I like to read books straight through in a day or so. So, good message, short chapters, just not for me.

"People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway."
~The First Paradoxical Commandment

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love paradox(es). I also dig Dr. Keith's paradoxical decalogue: BIG time!!

But Anyway is a little bit bloated. It's fine for some aimless reading, I suppose. But I don't think Dr. K's 10 juicy, paradoxical nuggets need to be imbedded in so much of the prose cotton-candy that surrounds 'em here.

The 10 Paradoxical Commandments--just in & of themselves--are plenty awesome to me!

I'm just not sure that they "need" to be packaged in vade mecum (i.e. handbook) form like this.

[Anwar Moh]

الوصايا العشر المتناقضة التي إن اتبعتها فستجد المعنى الجوهري لنفسك في هذه الحياة، وفي خضم الجنون الذي يكتسح العالم.

في هذا الكتاب يُفصل كيث في وصاياه العشر التي كتبها مُنذ زمن، واكتشف بعد سنوات كثيرة أنها جابت العالم وصولاً للهند، بالإضافة للأهمية التي احتلتها وجعلتها تصل لجدار ملجأ أيتام، وتوزع في دورة لبرنامج الدكتوراة في الجامعة على الطلاب كموضوع تمهيدي لصف الدراسي. 💯

أثناء رحلتك بين صفحات هذا الكتاب (إن قررت قراءته) ستجد الفائدة الكبيرة التي قد تتفق معها وتتبناها، أو تعارضها فَـلا تأخذ بها.
Insta: moon__097

[Dhanashree Longadge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is most beautiful poem I came across and it has secured a place in my heart. Review is how I perceived/understood it. It tells you to do good, to believe, to hope even if conditions are not favourable. Title is so much correct with the advice (my personal consideration) to continue/keep going the way you already were, with your life.

[Tammy Sadorus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, easy to read book - comes equipped with its own bookmarks (folds in the cover). I really enjoyed reading this one, many simple but positively good reminders of how life works, and that even though things may not always work out to your advantage, its still important to be 'good' to others and to yourself.

[Blake Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really popular concept for living a positive (and impactful) life. The premise for this book has been used in countless speeches, by countless motivational gurus, and undoubtedly countless graduation speeches and so forth. You get the picture. Martina McBride even made it into a song. It's a really great read, that will hopefully change the way you think!

[Meike]

Kent Keith inventes ten dictates of reason, that are apparently contradicted by our everyday life. These suggestions are very global and filled with biographical reminiscences. Yes, his suggestions went arround the world (but nobody noticed, that they are his invention) and were even used by mother Theresa. Kent Keith is of such great significance!
But who needs it, anyway?!?

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a great deal of personal meaning for me and made me think about life and people with a little more compassion. They truly can be rules to live by. I hope you give this little book a chance with an open mind because in the end it just makes sense.

[Anita]

Many have read these paradoxical commandments that end with: 'Love them anyway', 'Succeed anyway', 'Do good anyway', etc. Kent Keith was the original author who penned them in the 1960's. This book shows how we all have the choice to do the easy thing or the right thing!

[Tyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick read. One of my professors gave it to me as a parting gift from University. It's about doing things intrinsically despite people/obstacles. Some of it is common sense, but I like the stories and examples he gave.

[Gretchen]

If you are going to accomplish anything in your life, you need to understand what is outlined in this book, or at least understand that what he says is true. WHY it happens that way is anybodies guess!

[Cindy Lund · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gave me some ideas on how to explain why I do the things I do. I love this paragraph: This is the life you are given. Your job is to make the most of it. It doesn't matter what the world does in response. Personal meaning comes from giving the world your best, no matter what.

[Đinh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has helped me to answer some of the questions that I've been asking myself for a while. Read it, and know that paradoxes exist everywhere. But still, it should never be an obstacle on your way to achieve a happy and meaningful life.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an inspiring book! The ideas in this book have urged me to draw closer to the Lord, step out boldly, and live a life that God would approve. Paradox can be a scary place. Yet paradox is what helps us grow. We can only grow by experiencing it, learning to balance, and learning to live with it.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful book to help find meaning in dealing with tough situations! A must read for all who want to embrace life!