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Simple Truths: Clear and Simple Guidance on the Big Issues in Life
Seldom does a book come along that speaks to the core issues in life with the clarity and wisdom of Simple Truths. Drawing on the insights put forth in his widely praised book, Letters to My Son, award-winning author Kent Nerburn offers clear and gentle guidance on such central life experiences as love, work, possessions, strength, solitude, and death.
This is a profound book, deeply informed by the spiritual traditions of the West, the Far East, and Native Americans, with whom the author has worked for many years. Its honest authority and moral focus appeals to readers of such classics as The Prophet and The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. Its simple format and beautiful presentation make it ideal for the intelligent gift-giver looking for a small treasure.
This is a profound book, deeply informed by the spiritual traditions of the West, the Far East, and Native Americans, with whom the author has worked for many years. Its honest authority and moral focus appeals to readers of such classics as The Prophet and The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. Its simple format and beautiful presentation make it ideal for the intelligent gift-giver looking for a small treasure.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
45 people are currently reading
631 people want to read
About the author
Kent Nerburn
42 books461 followersI'm a child of the 60's, a son of the north, and a lover of dogs.
Grew up in a crackerbox post-war bungalow outside of Minneapolis with my mother and father, two younger sisters, various dogs and cats, and a neighborhood full of rugrat kids playing outside until called in for the night.
Studied American Studies at the University of Minnesota, Religious Studies and Humanities at Stanford University, received a Ph.D. in Religion and Art in a joint program at Graduate Theological Union and the University of California at Berkeley. Lots of learning, lots of awards. Phi Beta Kappa. Summa cum Laude. Lots of stuff that looks good on paper.
But just as important, an antique restorer's shop in Marburg, Germany; the museums of Florence; a sculpture studio in the back alleys of Pietrasanta, Italy; an Indian reservation in the forests of northern Minnesota; and, perhaps above all, the American road.
Always a watcher, always a wanderer, perhaps too empathetic for my own good, more concerned with the "other" than the "self", always more interested in what people believed than in what they thought. A friend of the ordinary and the life of the streets.
Twenty years as a sculptor -- over-life sized images hand-chiseled from large tree trunks -- efforts to embody emotional and spiritual states in wood. Then, still searching, years helping young people collect memories of the tribal elders on the Red Lake Ojibwe reservation in the Minnesota north. Then writing,
always writing, finding a voice and even a calling, helping Native America tell its story.
A marriage, children, a home on a pine-rimmed lake near the Minnesota-Canadian border.
Book after book, seventeen in all, ever seeking the heartbeat of people's belief. Journeys, consolations, the caring observer, always the teacher, always the learner. Ever mindful of the wise counsel of an Ojibwe elder, "Always teach by stories, because stories lodge deep in the heart."
Through grace and good luck, an important trilogy (Neither Wolf nor Dog, The Wolf at Twilight, and The Girl who Sang to the Buffalo), a film, Minnesota Book Awards, South Dakota book of the year, many "community reads," book sales around the world.
In the end, a reluctant promoter, a quiet worker, a seeker of an authentic American spirituality, more concerned with excellence than quantity. Proud to be referred to as "a guerilla theologian" and honored to be called "the one writer who can respectfully bridge the gap between native and non-Native cultures". But more honored still to hear a twelve-year-old girl at one of my readings whisper to her mom, "He's a really nice man."
At heart, just an ordinary person, grateful to be a father and a husband, more impressed by kindness than by power, doing what I can with the skills that I have to pay my rent for my time on earth. And trying, always trying, to live by Sitting Bull's entreaty: "Come let us put our minds together to see what kind of lives we can create for our children."
And petting every dog that I can.
Grew up in a crackerbox post-war bungalow outside of Minneapolis with my mother and father, two younger sisters, various dogs and cats, and a neighborhood full of rugrat kids playing outside until called in for the night.
Studied American Studies at the University of Minnesota, Religious Studies and Humanities at Stanford University, received a Ph.D. in Religion and Art in a joint program at Graduate Theological Union and the University of California at Berkeley. Lots of learning, lots of awards. Phi Beta Kappa. Summa cum Laude. Lots of stuff that looks good on paper.
But just as important, an antique restorer's shop in Marburg, Germany; the museums of Florence; a sculpture studio in the back alleys of Pietrasanta, Italy; an Indian reservation in the forests of northern Minnesota; and, perhaps above all, the American road.
Always a watcher, always a wanderer, perhaps too empathetic for my own good, more concerned with the "other" than the "self", always more interested in what people believed than in what they thought. A friend of the ordinary and the life of the streets.
Twenty years as a sculptor -- over-life sized images hand-chiseled from large tree trunks -- efforts to embody emotional and spiritual states in wood. Then, still searching, years helping young people collect memories of the tribal elders on the Red Lake Ojibwe reservation in the Minnesota north. Then writing,
always writing, finding a voice and even a calling, helping Native America tell its story.
A marriage, children, a home on a pine-rimmed lake near the Minnesota-Canadian border.
Book after book, seventeen in all, ever seeking the heartbeat of people's belief. Journeys, consolations, the caring observer, always the teacher, always the learner. Ever mindful of the wise counsel of an Ojibwe elder, "Always teach by stories, because stories lodge deep in the heart."
Through grace and good luck, an important trilogy (Neither Wolf nor Dog, The Wolf at Twilight, and The Girl who Sang to the Buffalo), a film, Minnesota Book Awards, South Dakota book of the year, many "community reads," book sales around the world.
In the end, a reluctant promoter, a quiet worker, a seeker of an authentic American spirituality, more concerned with excellence than quantity. Proud to be referred to as "a guerilla theologian" and honored to be called "the one writer who can respectfully bridge the gap between native and non-Native cultures". But more honored still to hear a twelve-year-old girl at one of my readings whisper to her mom, "He's a really nice man."
At heart, just an ordinary person, grateful to be a father and a husband, more impressed by kindness than by power, doing what I can with the skills that I have to pay my rent for my time on earth. And trying, always trying, to live by Sitting Bull's entreaty: "Come let us put our minds together to see what kind of lives we can create for our children."
And petting every dog that I can.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 23, 2008
I actually don't mind someone smart and compassionate and reflective giving me advice about the human condition and human potential, as Nerburn phrases it. I don't mean that in an off-hand, dismissive way. I mean, I am willing to hear him tell me/us how to approach education, parenthood, money, death, and other things that we make decisions about all the time. I thought I would mind - I prefer to think I have some intellectual independence - but I can't pretend that I would be as far as I am in my thinking if I did it all alone! No, I find Nerburn's little book thoughtful and useful. We can all take or leave any advice we get, right?
This book is the sort of thing I can only read in small doses because it makes me set the book down, pick up the cup of coffee, and stare out the window for a while. That is a good book.
This book is the sort of thing I can only read in small doses because it makes me set the book down, pick up the cup of coffee, and stare out the window for a while. That is a good book.
March 28, 2020
I think this is a wonderful book! Just when you think you have too much on your plate, this book shows you that this is all you need the rest is just "fluff". A great book and full of inspiration.
January 31, 2014
This book lays out some of the deepest matters of the heart with simplicity, eloquence and compassion.
June 24, 2009
Read it in the past...re-reading it again. Always good.
April 8, 2011
Given to my by my father after a significant life change, it has seen me through deaths, graduations, break ups, make ups, emotional and financial struggles.
November 13, 2008
Very good philosophy on subjects such as money, love, marriage, death, work, giving, possessions, etc. I can't say I agreed with all his "truths", however, it gives you room for thought on the matter.
July 23, 2009
The title says it all. I can't count how many copies of this book I've purchased as gifts for friends in crisis.
April 6, 2010
one of those easy, thoughtful books.
July 11, 2012
Insightful, poetic, soul-soothing and true. A permanent book on my shelf. One to reference from time to time.
July 22, 2012
A quick, easy read that can be read in segments or as applicable. Powerful stories, strong thoughts.
July 6, 2013
Re-read the book tonight. Very good book to have and to re-read!
July 8, 2015
I Revisit Simple Truths
In this journey of life, we need to be reminded of our Truths. Simple yet profound. A great read, compass and anchor. Spirit filled.
In this journey of life, we need to be reminded of our Truths. Simple yet profound. A great read, compass and anchor. Spirit filled.
December 14, 2023
A meaningful little book of truths. Nothing new or revolutionary, but easy to read, and many important notes on life that are easy to forget in your day to day. Worth a read if you find it like I did on your friend's coffee table :)
"Life is but a dream we renew each day. It is up to us to infuse this dream with light, and to cultivate, as best as we are able, the ways and habits of love."
"If we incline our hearts toward the darkness, we will see the darkness. If we incline them toward the light, we will see the light."
"True strength does not magnify others' weaknesses. It makes others stronger. If someone's strength makes others feel weaker, it is merely domination, and that is no strength at all."
"You don't choose love. Love chooses you. All you can really do is accept it for all its mystery when it comes into your life. Feel the way it fills you to overflowing, then reach out and give it away."
"When we finally reclaim ourselves, as we ultimately do, we are changed. We have been carried into a larger realm where we see what is truly important, and it is our responsi- bility to carry that knowledge back into our daily lives. It is our chance to think life afresh."
"Life is but a dream we renew each day. It is up to us to infuse this dream with light, and to cultivate, as best as we are able, the ways and habits of love."
"If we incline our hearts toward the darkness, we will see the darkness. If we incline them toward the light, we will see the light."
"True strength does not magnify others' weaknesses. It makes others stronger. If someone's strength makes others feel weaker, it is merely domination, and that is no strength at all."
"You don't choose love. Love chooses you. All you can really do is accept it for all its mystery when it comes into your life. Feel the way it fills you to overflowing, then reach out and give it away."
"When we finally reclaim ourselves, as we ultimately do, we are changed. We have been carried into a larger realm where we see what is truly important, and it is our responsi- bility to carry that knowledge back into our daily lives. It is our chance to think life afresh."
August 28, 2017
This book teached us what to keep in mind in everyday life. Not preaching at all, rather like the auther is sitting next to me and talking to me. Like the "Strength" part especially:)
Good to read it aloud too. Want to reread it once in a year not to forget his nice advices.
Good to read it aloud too. Want to reread it once in a year not to forget his nice advices.
Read
May 19, 2012Quick read. Some chapters good others ok
Read
April 25, 2013To me this little book has so much wisdom. I wish the author would have made it longer. Totally enjoyed it!
July 24, 2018
Nerburn has a gift when it comes to telling very brief stories. I have read several, and this is one of my favorites. These make excellent gifts.
October 3, 2020
A collection of short reflections. It is full of gems.
August 30, 2019
Delightful, short book which I really liked, but "Make me an Instrument of your Peace" was the best so far.
July 16, 2020
Useful insights.
December 31, 2020
Simple Truths is a good reminder to focus on the importance things in life.
February 6, 2021
A brief book powered with the most amazing nuggets. Practical wisdom for living well; I will read this book over and over in the coming months and years.
March 23, 2022
Super easy read. I liked the topics discussed in the book which gave me a slightly new perspective of how “simple” life can be…even though we all know it’s not LOL
December 1, 2022
This book elaborates on wisdom and practical advice on many issues of life, such as on the elders, on strength, on tragedy and suffering, the spiritual journey, and other issues of life. My most favorite Chapter is the chapter, "On Work," because it describes the differentiation between calling and vocation, which I can relate to in my own Christian faith. I think that this book is very insightful and packed with a lot of wisdom and practical advice on the issues of life that one can glean from. This book is very good if you are seeking advice, from a spiritual perspective, on these issues of life. A very short read, yet a very good small book with a lot of words of wisdom for all to read indeed!
March 27, 2024
Kent wrote a short book that distills many simple truths about life. Approaching ideas from the perspective of someone like many of us who is trying to sort things out, Kent writes wisdom in a poetic manor. This book is short and sweet but equally thought provoking. If you want a short feel good nonfiction book that will help you explore yourself as well as your relationship with the world then check this out!
June 18, 2025
simple yet elegant. feels like what all parents should teach their kids. and it feels like that's how it was written. the author doesn't sugar coat reality. instead he gives a real world examination of the hardships in life and how to navigate them while always being optimistic in his words and approach.
January 18, 2022
Love all of Nerburn's works. This is one of those that you can read bits and pieces, over and over, and the wisdom never grows old. A great gift book, too. A must have for everyone's book collection.
June 6, 2023
A short, eminently quotable book. The wisdom it contains cuts across religious traditions and reads like life advice handed down from father to son. While it is written in prose, much of the advice reads like poetry.
September 25, 2017
Good advice, but anyone could give it.
August 2, 2021
Terrific!
Simple concepts, profound thoughts!
Simple concepts, profound thoughts!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews