As a Man Thinketh / Out From the Heart

by James Allen

James Allen's As a Man Thinketh reminds us that our thoughts control our actions and mold who we are as a person. Good and generous thoughts bring about good and generous actions. Thoughts of greed and covetousness show themselves in selfish and paranoid behavior. Feed your mind on healthful thoughts and happiness and success will follow.

"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." Mind is the Master power that molds 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

Out From The Hart is James Allen's sequel to As a Man Thinketh. In Out From The Hart Allen shows us how to gain self-mastery, and ascend, by successive stages, into a higher and nobler life.

"Confucius said: "The perfecting of one's self is the fundamental base of all progress, and of all moral development." A maxim as profound and compensable as it is simple, practical, and uninvolved, for there is no surer way to knowledge, nor better way to help the world than by perfecting one's self. Nor is there any nobler work or higher science than that of self-perfection. He who studies how to become faultless, who strives to be pure-hearted, who aims at the possession of a calm, wise, and seeing mind, engages in the most sublime task that man can undertake, and the results of which are perceptible in a well ordered, blessed and beautiful life."

James Allen was a British philosophical writer known for his inspirational books and poetry and as a pioneer of self-help movement. Allen's practical philosophy for successful living has awakened millions to the discovery that "they themselves are makers of themselves". Allen insists that it is within the power of each person to form his own character and create his own happiness.

78 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

The 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".

Reviews

[Melissa Coryell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biblical truth on every level

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked its direct way of speech, the way its written makes for a very straightforward and fast read. Def helped me get a clearer picture on the first steps to change.