Walk Humbly: Encouragements for Living, Working, and Being

by Samuel Wells

Max Ehrmann’s prose poem “Desiderata,” with its direct instructions —“go placidly,” “enjoy your achievements,” and others— has inspired millions of readers. In the spirit of Ehrmann’s “Desiderata,” world-renowned ethicist, theologian, and preacher Samuel Wells offers eight encourage­ments to readers in  Walk Humbly , his own more extended prose poem. Each simple, direct exhortation— be humble, be grateful, be your own size, be gentle, be a person of praise, be faithful, be one body, be a blessing —is accompanied by thought-provoking, insightful comments. Drawing on startlingly perceptive observations of contemporary life and reflecting a deep knowledge of philosophical and religious wisdom, Wells’s  Walk Humbly  will inspire readers to stop, reflect, and think deeply about essential existence.

112 pages, Hardcover

Published March 5, 2019

About the author

Samuel Wells (PhD, University of Durham) is vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church at Trafalgar Square in London. He previously served as dean of the chapel and research professor of Christian ethics at Duke University. Wells is the author of several books, including Be Not Afraid, Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics, and Transforming Fate into Destiny: The Theological Ethics of Stanley Hauerwas. He also coedited, with Stanley Hauerwas, The Blackwell Companion to Christian Ethics.

Reviews

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This restful read is meant to be absorbed a piece at a time. This is a spiritual yet mostly not religious set of essays that invite self-examination. It is highly philosophical.

Beautiful language, lovely cover, and gentle tone just asks the reader to sit with "I Wonder" questions. These topics are similar to books on mindfulness and meditation, mainly serving as nudges to really think our place in the world and with one another. Thoughtful.

[Geoff Maddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle work of reflection

The first chapter is worth the cost of the whole text. Beautifully rendered reflections on existence and faith. Worthy of a second and third reading with helpful discussion questions at the end of the book.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep coming back to this wonderful little book! The chapter headings indicate the author's direction of travel: Be Humble; Be Grateful; Be Your Own Size, to name a few! Inspirational!

On Goodreads, the only hardback edition mentioned is the American Edition (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co) but my copy is published in Britain by Canterbury Press Norwich (ISBN 978 1 78622 150 6).

The author is Samuel Wells, who is the Vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written book that my church group read and discussed in one sitting. I plan to linger on with it for awhile because every chapter offers comfort and, at times, something to ponder.

[Brenda Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Deserving of frequent rereads and deep reflection.

[Julie Birkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

audible book -very thought provoking.Audible always good when read by the author.

[Roy Howard]

Samuel Wells is well known for his preaching and this various works of practical theology. Not as many people know of his pastoral ministry, guiding his congregation to be fully present with the most vulnerable of their parish that includes the wealthy and the powerful. In this small book, Wells brings his wise counsel to those seeking to live fully alive, with wonder and with purpose. Wells encourages us to pay attention to our place in the universe for that is when one discovers humility. The language here is direct. “Be a person of wonder.” he writes. “Every day, discover more about God’s goodness, truth, and beauty––in scripture, in history, in the world, in the universe … and call that praise.” What is especially welcome is the appeal to all people, while clearly grounding his reflections in Christianity. Wells writes with a winsome spirit that is compelling. Who would not want to discover the kind of full life that he commends? One comes away from this little book with a much larger vision. Even his reflections on death become the window into the sublime pleasures of gratitude. There are questions at the end that make this a book to be shared with a small group of friends.