There can be no progress nor achievement without sacrifice, and a man’s worldly success will be by the measure that he sacrifices his confused animal thoughts, and fixes his mind on the development of his plans, and the strengthening of his resolution and self-reliance.
– James Allen
As a Man Thinketh is a literary essay by James Allen, published in 1903. Allen’s widely acclaimed book, As a Man Thinketh adds on to his series of self-help books.
It primarily deals with the power of thought and its subsequent effect on human life. The book tries to establish “mind as the master” which has the power to remake one’s life. As a Man Thinketh gracefully presents the core principles that one needs to follow in order to transform one’s life’s circumstances. Allen has tried to make the book simple, so that all can easily grasp and follow its teaching, and put into practice the methods which it advises. Each man holds the key to every condition, good or bad, that enters into his life, and that, by working patiently and intelligently upon his thoughts, he may remake his life, and transform his circumstances. It was also described by Allen as “A book that will help you to help yourself”, “A pocket companion for thoughtful people”, and “A book on the power and right application of thought.
James Allen was born in Leicester, England, in 1864. He took his first job at age 15 to support his family, after his father was murdered while looking for work in America. Allen was employed as a factory knitter and a private secretary until the early 1900s, when he became increasingly known for his motivational writing. His 1903 work As a Man Thinketh earned him worldwide fame as a prophet of inspirational thinking and influenced a who’s-who of self-help writers, including Napoleon Hill.
