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;AsaManIn the light ofhThink ethwhat, then,this truth,theismeaning of "fighting against circumstances"?It means that a man is continually revolting againstan effect without, while all the time he is nourishing and preservingcausemayitsThatcause in his heart.take the form of a conscious vice oran unconscious weakness;but whateverstubbornly retards the efforts ofitsitpossessor,is, itandthus calls aloud for remedy.Menareanxioustoimprove their circum-stances, but are unwilling tothey therefore remain bound.improve themselvesThe man whonot shrink from self-crucifixion can neverfailaccomplish the object upon which his heartThisisdoestois set.as true of earthly as of heavenly things.Even the man whose sole object is to acquirewealth must be prepared to make great personalsacrificesbefore he can accomplish his object;and how much more so he who would realize astrong and well-poised life?Here is a man who is wretchedly poor. He isextremelyhomeanxiousthatsurroundingshiscomforts should be improved, yettime he shirks his work, and considers hetifiedin trying to deceive hisground of the insufficiency oft[16]andalltheisjus-employer on thehis wages.Such a

AsmanaManThinkethdoes not understand the simplest rudimentsof those principlesandprosperity,iswhich are the basis of truenot only totally unfitted to riseout of his wretchedness, butto himself astillactually attractingdeeper wretchedness by dwellingand acting out,manly thoughtsin,isindolent, deceptive,and un-.HerefulHeisanda richman whoispersistent disease as the result of gluttony.willing to give largeisrid ofthe victim of a pain-but heit,Hedesires.willsumsofmoneyto getnot sacrifice his gluttonouswants to gratifyhis taste for richandunnatural viands and have his health as well.Such amanistotally unfit tohe has not yet learned thehealthyhave health, becausefirstprinciples of alife.Hereisan employerof labourwhoadoptscrooked measures to avoid paying the regulationwage, and, in the hope of making largerprofits,Such aprosperity, andreduces the wages of his work-people.maniswhen healtogether unfittedforfinds himself bankrupt, both as regardsreputation and riches, he blames circumstances,not knowing that heisthe sole author of hiscondition.Ihave introduced these three cases merely as[17]

:—Asf illustrative//aM anThinkethof the truth thatman:isthe causer(though nearly always unconsciously) of hiscir-cumstances, and that, whilst aiming at a good end,/heiscontinually frustratingitsaccomplishmentby encouraging thoughts and desires which cannot\ possibly harmonize with that end. Such casesherald be multiplied and varied almost indefi-\nitely,ifbut thisnot necessary, as the reader can,he so resolves, trace the action of the laws ofthought in hisisisown mind andlife,anduntil thisdone, mere external facts cannot serv#e as aground of reasoning.Circumstances, however, are so complicated,thoughtisso deeply rooted, and the conditions ofhappiness vary so vastly with individualsfcJhat aman'sknownentire soul-condition(althoughto himself) cannot be judgedfrom the external aspect ofmay beitmay beby anotherhis life alone.A manhonest in certain directions, yet sufferprivations;aman maybe dishonest in certaindirections, yet acquire wealth;sion usually formed that the onebut the conclu-manfailsbecauseof his particular honesty and that the other pros,pers because of his particular dishonesty 9result ofisthea superficial judgment, which assumesthat the dishonestmanisalmost totally corrupt,118]

AsaManThinkethand the honest man almost entirely virtuous. Ir»the light of a deeper knowledge and wider experience, such judgment is found to be erroneous.Thedishonestvirtuesman mayhave some admirablewhich the other does not possess;andman obnoxious vices which are absentother. The honest man reaps the good re-the honestin thesults of hisbringsupon himself theproduce.ownhonest thoughts and acts;Thesufferingdishonestasuffersmanmanwhichhis viceslikewise garners hisand happiness.It is pleasing toonesufferingshe alsohumanvanity to believe thatbecause of one's virtue; but not untilhas extirpated every sickly,bitter,and im-pure thought from his mind, and washed everysinful staintofromknow andhis soul,can he be in a positiondeclare that his sufferings are theresult of his good,and notof hisbadqualities;and on the way to, yet long before he has reached,that supreme perfection, he will have found,working in his mind and life, the Great Law whichis absolutely just, and which cannot, therefore, givegood forevil, evil forknowledge, hewillgood.Possessed of suchthen know, looking back uponand blindness, that hisand always was, justly ordered, and thathis past ignorance[19]life is,all his

—AsaManThinkethpast experiences, good and bad, were the equitable outworking of his evolving, yet unevolved4 self.—thoughts and actions can never produce4f Good —— bad results; bad thoughts and actions ean never-/ .produce good Ibut saying thatisnothing cancome from corn butfrombutnettlesMennettles.corn, nothingunderstand thisand work with it; butfew understand it in the mental and moral world(though its operation there is just as simple andundeviating), and they, therefore, do not colawjThisresults.in the natural world,operate withr Sufferingsomeisof his being.afterfectlywrong thoughtan indication that theinindi-The lejiE s remejiseto purify, toand impure.pure.It iseffect ofout of harmony with himself, with thes uffering islessalways thedirection.vidualLawisit.burn outallSuffering ceases forthatisofuse-him whoisThere could be no object in burning goldthe dross had been removed, and a perpure and enlightened being could not suffer.Thecircumstances which amanwith suffering are the result of hisharmony.Theencountersown mentalcircumstances which amanin-en-counters with blessedness are the result of hisown mental harmony.Blessedness, not mate-[ 0]

Asarial possessions, isManThinkeththe measure of right thought;wretchedness, not lack of material possessions,the measure ofA man maywrong thought.cursed and rich;hemayisbebe blessed and poor.Blessedness and riches are only joined togetherwhenthe riches are rightly and wisely usedand;the poormanwhen heregards his lot as a burden unjustlyonly descends into wretchednessimposed.Indigence and indulgence are the two extremesof wretchedness.They are bothand themental disorder.result ofrightly conditioned untilheisequally unnaturalA manisnota happy, healthy,and prosperous being; and happiness, health,and prosperity are the result of a harmonious adjustment of the inner with the outer, of themanwith his surroundings.A manonly begins to be aman whenhe ceasesand commences to searchfor the hidden justice which regulates his life. Andas he adapts his mind to that regulating factor,he ceases to accuse others as the cause of hiscondition, and builds himself up in strong andtowhine andrevile,i noble thoughts; ceases to kick against circumstances, but begins to use them as aids to hismore rapidIprogress,and as a means[21)of dis- U

AsaThinkethpowers andhiddenthecoveringManpossibilitieswithin himself.Law, not confusion,in the universe;isjustice,the dominating principlenot injustice,the soulisand righteousness, notcorruption, is the moulding and moving force inthe spiritual government of the world. This beand substancemaning so,tof life;has but to right himself tofind thathe universe is ightj and during the process ofputting himself right, he will find that as he altershis thoughts towards thingsand other people,and other peopletowards him.thingsTheitwill alterproof of this truthisin every person,andbysys-therefore admits of easy radically alter his thoughts,astonishedeffectandatthe rapidand hetransformationLet awillit will4n-the-material co nditions of his life /Men],imagine that thought can be kept secret, but/Icannot;it**" fystallize intowhichitrapidly crystallizes into habit, andhabit solidifies into circumstance.ality,beBestial thoughtshabits of drunkennessand sensu-solidify into circumstances of destitu-and disease: impure thoughts of every kindcrystallize into enervating and confusing habits,which solidify into distracting and adverse cirtion[22]v

AsaManThinkethcumstances: thoughts ofcisioi crystallize intowhichlute habits,failure, indigence,thoughtsfear, (loubt) andiweak, unmanly, andinderirreso-soiidify into circumstances ofandslavishdependence: (lazycrystallize into habits of uncleanlinessand dishonesty, whichof foulnesssolidify into circumstancesand beggary hateful and ondemna- :(tory thoughts crystallize into habits of accusationandwhichviolence,of injuryinto circumstancessolidifyand persecution:(selfishthoughts allkinds crystallize into habits of self-seeking, whichcircumstances more orsolidify intoing.Onless distress-the other hand, beautiful thought ofallkinds crystallize into habits of grace and kindliness,whichcumstancesof:solidify into genialpure thoughtstemperance andand sunnycir-crystallize into habitsself-control,whichsolidify intocircumstances of repose and peace: thoughts of(courage,intoand decision crystallizewhich solidify into circumplenty, and freedom: ener-self-reliance,manlyhabits,stances of success,getic thoughts crystallize into habits of cleanlinessandindustry, which solidify into circumstancesof pleasantness:gentleand[forgiving thoughtscrystallize into habits of gentleness,into protectivewhichsolidifyand preservative circumstances:[23]

;As f-forgetfulnesscrystallizeforprosperityAA,and abidingriches.particular train of thought persisted in, begood or bad, cannotit/and truewhichothers,solidify into circumstances of surefailtoproduce"2 on the character and circumstances.itsJresultsA man}not directly choose his circumstances, but(intocan-he canchoose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely,Hshape his circumstances.Nature helps everymanto the gratification ofthe thoughts which he most encourages, and opportunities are presentedilywhichwillmost speed-bring to the surface both the good and evilthoughts.Let aallmancease from his sinful thoughts, andthe world will soften towards him,ready to help himand behim put away his weaklyand sickly thoughts, and lo opportunities willspring up on every hand to aid his strong resolveslet him encourage good thoughts, and no hard fateshall bind him down to wretchedness and shame.The world is your kaleidoscope, and the varyinglet;!combinations of colours which at every succeedingmomentitpresents to you are the exquisitelyadjusted pictures of your ever-moving thoughts.'[*4]y

As"YenawillLetMan Think ethbe what youwill to be;failure find its false contentIn that poor word, 'environment,'But spirit scorns it, and is free."It masters time,Ititconquers space;cows that boastfulAndtrickster,Chance,bids the tyrant CircumstanceUncrown, andfilla servant's place."The human Will, that force unseen,The offspring of a deathless Soul,Can hew a way to any goal,Though walls of granite intervene."Benot impatient in delay,But wait as one who understands;When spirit rises and commands,Thegods are ready to obey."[«6j

AsManaThinhethEFFECT OF THOUGHT ON HEALTHAND THE BODYsf IiHE body-*the servant of the mind.isItobeys the operations of the mind, whetherthey be deliberately chosen or automatically expressed.At the biddingthebody sinks rapidlythecommandof unlawful thoughtsinto diseaseof gladand decayat;and beautiful thoughtsitbecomes clothed with youthfulness and beauty.Disease andhealth,rooted in thought.\likecircumstances,areSickly thoughts will express themselves through a sickly body.Ifear have beenknownto killamanThoughtsofas speedilyas a bullet, and they are continually killing thou-/sands of people just as surely thoughI\Thepeoplepeoplewhowhogetlive in fear of disea se are theit .Anxiety quickly demoralizesthe whole body, and laysof disease ;less rapidly.itopen to the entrancewhile impure thoughts, evenifnotphysically indulged, will soon shatter the nervjIous system.V[»]

Asa 31 an ThinkethStrong, pure, andhappy thoughts build up thebody in vigour and grace. The body is a delicateand plastic instrument, which responds readily tothe thoughts by which it is impressed, and habitsof thought will produce theirbad, uponMenowneffects,jgood or,-*it.willcontinue to have impure and poisonedblood so long as they propagate unclean thoughts.Outcomes a clean life and a cleanbody. Out of a defiled mind proceeds a defiledThought is the fount oflife and a corrupt body.of a clean heartaction,life,andChangepure, feand manifestation;makethe fountainbe pure.all willman who win\When a man makesof diet will not help anot change his thoughts.his thoughts pure,}he no longer desires impure/food.*bfcCle an thoughtsmakeclean habits.Theso-bod y is n ot awho has strengthened and purified hiscalled jsaint jdio does notjgashjiissaint.Hethoughts does not need to consider the malevolent microbe.K.yo]UgpuId\perfectyoyj -bodyr guard youryou would renew your body, beautifyyour mind. Thoughts of malice, envy, disappointment, despondency, rob the body of itsIjaind jf[27]

Asahealth and grace.chance;thatIit isManAThinkethsour face does notmade byWrinklessour thoughts.mar are drawn by folly, passion, pride.know a woman of ninety-six who hasbright, innocent face of a girl.wellcome byknow a manIunder middle age whose faceinharmonious contours.The onea sweet and sunny disposition;theisisdrawnintothe result ofthe otheris/theoutcome of passion and discontent.As you cannot have a sweet and wholesomeabode unless you admit the air and sunshine freelyinto your rooms, so a strong body and a bright,happy, or serene countenance can only result fromthe free admittance into themindof thoughts ofjoy and goodwill and serenity.Onthe faces of the aged there are wrinklesmade by sympathy;by strong and purethought, and others are carved by passion: whocannot distinguish them? j(With those who havelived righteously, age is calm, peaceful, andsoftly mellowed, like the setting sun./ I haverecently seen a philosopher on his death-bed.He was not old except in years. He died assweetly and peacefully as he had lived.There is no physician like cheerful thought fordissipating theillsothersof the body;1*8]thereisno com-M

AsaManThinkethcompare with goodwillthe shadows of grief and sorrow.forter tofor dispersingTolivecon-tinually in thoughts of ill-will, cynicism, suspicion,and envy, is to be confined in a selfmade prisonhole. But to think well of all, to be cheerful withall, to patiently learn to find the good in all—such unselfish thoughts are the very portals ofheaven; and to dwell day by day in thoughts ofpeace toward every creaturepeace to their possessor.129]willbring abounding

AsManaThinkethTHOUGHT AND PURPOSEUNTILnoiswe thoughtintelligentmajority thelinked with purpose ther eisbarque of thought"drift" upon the ocean ofand suchhim who would/tfTce,IWith theaccomplishmen t.driftingsteerlife, hisallowed toAimlessnessisamust not continue forclear ofcatastrophe and(destruction." They wholifehave no central purpose in theiran easy preyfalltroubles,andtopetty worries, fears,self-pityings, all ofcations of weakness,whichwhich arelead, just as surely asby aunhappiness, anddeliberately planned sins inadifferentloss,forpower-evolvinguniverse.A manshould co nppl ve of ajegitimatejgiirpose.hr Eis heart,shouldmakeput to a ccomplish it. Hethis purpose the centralizing pointandof his thoughts.ual ideal, orit.setItmaymaytake the form of a spirit-be a worldly object, accordingto his nature at the time being;iso]but whicheverit

Asis,aM anThinkethhe, should teadilyL bais Jhis thought-forcesupon the object which he hasshouldmakethishim.set beforeHepurpose his supreme duty, andshould devote himself toattainment, not al-its,lowing his thoughts to wander away into ephem-xand imaginings. This isself-control and true concen-v\ *\J eral fancies, longings,the royal road toV-tration gLiUoug h t: - Bvon*iagain to accomplish his purpose (as he f character yaiued-wi&hzhis true su eessrat*4 this willth *themtmsufe oTform a new starting-point fog, future power and triumph.)Those w ho are not preparedrfor theapprehenAsion of a great purpose, should fix the thoughtsupon thematterfaultlesshowperformance of their duty, noinsignificant their taskmayoped, which being done, theremay not be accomplished.The weakest soul, knowingthis truthbe developed by effortlieving, at—and-isnothing which*-itsown weakness,that strengthcan onlypractice, will, thus be-once begin to exertitself,effort to effort, patience to patience,(31]\1appear.Only in this way can the thoughts be gatheredand focussed, and resolution and energy be devel-and believing t faerfaEtfer gaia and4 o and, addingand strengthi,

AsaManThinkethto strength, will never cease to develop,at lastAsgrow divinelythe physicallyandstrong.weak man can make himselfmanstrong by careful and patient training, so theofwillweak thoughts can make them strong byexer-cising himself in right thinking./Toput away aimlessness and weakness, and to/begin to think with purpose,Jwhoof those strong onesisto enter the ranksonly recognize failurewho makelas one of the pathways to attainment;/Vallconditions serve them,and who think trongly,attempt fearlessly, and accomplish masterfully." -VHaving conceivedmentallyof his purpose,mark out astraigliimanapathwayshouldtoitsachievement, looking neither to the right nor theDoubts andleft.cluded;fears should be rigorously ex-they are disintegrating elements whichbreak up the straight line ofeffort,renderingitcrooked, ineffectual, useless. * Thoughts of doubtan dfear nevercan.accomp lish anything and n everThey alway sLeadenergy, power to do,ceasefnandwhen doubt andfailure.allPurpose,strong thoughtsfear creep in.The will to do springs from the knowledge thatwe can do. Doubt and fear are the great enemiesof knowledge, and he who encourages them,[32]

AswhoaManThinkethdoes not slay them, thwarts himself at everystep.He whoqueredhas conquered doubt and fear has con-failure.power, andallHis every thoughtdifficulties arewisely overcome.planted,isalliedbravely met andHis purposes are seasonablyand they bloom and bring forthwhich does notfallwithfruitprematurely to the ground.Thought a llied fearle ssly to purpose becomescreate -fgrce hfrj&hoJfoimjc Jhis is re ady tobecome something hijgher a jtK jiger than amere bundle oF"wavering thoughtsjand fluctuating sensationsTTie who Hoes this has become the:conscious ahd intdiigent wielder of his mentalpowers.[88]

Asa 31 an ThinkethTHE THOUGHT-FACTOR INACHIEVEMENTALLthat a inan achievesto achievethoughts.isandallthat he failsthe direct result of hisownIn a justly ordered universe, where lossof equipoisewould meantotal destruction, indi-vidual responsibility must be absolute.Aman'sweakness and strength, purity and impurity, arehisown, and not another man'sthey are brought;about by himself, and not by another; and theycan onl

CONTENTS Page ThoughtandCharacter 7 EffectofThoughtonCircumstances. 11 EffectofThoughtonHealthandthe Body 26 ThoughtandPurpose 30 TheThough