Do you want to know what separates successful people from those who fail? It’s the way we think, says James Allen in As a Man Thinketh. It doesn’t just affect whether we do well in life, but contributes to our character, our physical and mental health, our circumstances, and more. In this free As a Man Thinketh summary and book review, we’ll explain all the ideas in the book – and explore the good thoughts we should have to nurture effective habits, and a balanced life. Being a book summary service that has reviewed several self-help books, we share who this book is targeted at and whether it’s a good read. In essence, this article covers.
- As a Man Thinketh Summary
- As a Man Thinketh Review
- Is As a Man Thinketh worth reading?
- Who Should Read As a Man Thinketh?
- Other Recommended Sources
- About James Allen
- As a Man Thinketh Quotes
Let’s dive straight in!
As a Man Thinketh Summary
James Allen was a philosopher who wrote several theories based on his life experiences. In As a Man Thinketh, he draws from facts from his own life. He also makes references to spiritual figures like Buddha and spiritual texts such as the bible verse in the book of Proverbs, where he draws the book’s title from. He presents a theory that our thoughts shape the quality of our lives. We summarise his findings below.
What is the message of ‘As a Man Thinketh’?
The main message from “As a Man Thinketh” is that your thought patterns have a significant influence on your quality of life. Our ability to control our thoughts can give rise to great achievements, peace of mind, and even happiness. Our minds and what we think about can also lead to our destruction. Bad thinking can lead to terrible mistakes that harm ourselves and others.
Allen explains this in several parts of the book by comparing thought to a seed, it’s the beginning that leads to a result. What we think triggers an emotion, which often encourages an action. For example, if you feel inspired, you might be moved to start something new. The more you act a certain way, the more it becomes natural to you. Over time, those actions shape your character and influence your circumstances.
The 5 Ways Your Thinking Influences Your Life
James Allen believes our thoughts influence several areas of our lives, including our character, circumstances, our health and achievements, and whether we can live peacefully. While external factors can seem to control our lives, Allen argues that our mind is the main power. It makes us strong and enables us to overcome anything. We explain further how thought influences the 5 life areas.
Thought and Character
Allen uses the phrase, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,” to remind us that we become what we think. Our thoughts not only shape who we are but also influence the circumstances in our lives.
Allen explains this with a simple analogy: a plant can’t grow without a seed. In the same way, our actions can’t happen without thoughts behind them. Just like a seed leads to a plant, our thoughts lead to actions. It’s similar to the idea of cause and effect; every result begins with something that triggered it.
Through this explanation, Allen encourages us to reflect on our own lives. If we experience success, wellness, or peace, it’s not just mere chance; it’s probably the result of the way we’ve been thinking. Just like if we fill our minds with negative thoughts, that too can influence our reality and even lead to our destruction.
Even in moments of weakness or hardship, the direction of our thoughts matters. Allen believes that by becoming aware of what we’re thinking and choosing more positive or productive thoughts, we can begin to change our situation for the better.
Effect of Thought on Circumstances
Similar to how our thoughts affect our character, they also affect our circumstances. Allen makes this clear through the analogy of a garden. When a gardener cultivates his plot, he removes the weeds and all the bad stuff so that his flowers and fruit can grow well. We need to do the same with our thoughts, pruning the bad and unhelpful ones so we can cultivate good lives.
That doesn’t mean bad things can’t happen to us even if we have good thoughts. It means the way we handle these circumstances and the outcomes we get are often connected to how we think.
As Allen emphasizes several times in the book, things don’t happen by chance, we are where we are because of how we think. We can become the masters of our lives once we realize the power our thoughts have on our circumstances.
Effect of Thought on Health and Body
What we think about can affect our physical health as well as our mental health.
When we focus on negative thoughts, like believing we’re not smart enough, the body can start to slow down or underperform. When we’re overwhelmed by anxiety, doubt and fear, it can literally harm our physical state.
The impact of bad thoughts goes beyond just causing disease or weakening our physical or mental abilities. It can also influence how others see us. Allen gives an example: if our thoughts are filled with envy, malice, or disappointment, our face can literally start to look sour. That sour look can push people away.
Allen encourages us to maintain good thoughts. When we focus on things like hope, goodwill, and happiness, we may naturally start to glow and attract more positivity into our lives.
Furthermore, positive thinking can even help prevent disease and slow aging. Have you ever met someone older who still looks youthful? Sometimes, it’s simply because they have good inner harmony. Their positive thoughts shine through, either as warmth, lightness, or even fewer wrinkles from a less weary expression.
The Thought Factor in Achievement
There are so many ways our thinking affects what we accomplish. For one, when we’re weak and want to improve, our thoughts play a huge role in reaching that goal. We rise when we lift our thoughts, and we remain stuck if we refuse to.
For example, unless a weak man is willing to change his thoughts and old ways, and gain the mindset of someone successful, he cannot grow. And unless he’s willing to receive help from someone stronger, he will struggle to change.
Our ability to develop discipline and achieve what we want also depends on how we think. If we can’t control our thoughts, we won’t be able to take on personal responsibility, act independently, or stay committed. But when we fix our thoughts on developing our plans, strengthening our decision-making, and becoming more independent, that’s when we can grow.
Furthermore, we can only achieve great things if our thoughts remain focused. For example, if you perform well at school, it’s because of your deep search for knowledge. If your spiritual achievements grow, it’s likely because of your holy aspirations.
Finally, Allen reminds us that although on the surface it may seem like the universe favors those with ungenerous thoughts, like people who are greedy, dishonest, or violent, that’s not the truth. In reality, it favors people who are honest and have high moral standards. Many people have experienced this for themselves. If you want to experience this, you will have to stay committed to being a good person.
Effect of Thought on Peace
If we can keep our minds calm, then we are truly powerful, says Allen. Having a calm mind comes from lots of practice with self-control. We become calm when we understand ourselves as thought-evolved beings. We also become calmer when we understand how others think and how that thinking shapes their behavior. When we grasp these things, we’re less likely to get angry quickly.
Allen suggests that calmness is one of the greatest attributes a person can have. Not only does it help us attract and influence others, but it also helps us handle situations better. For example, people naturally prefer to deal with those who have a calm demeanor. Allen says you could have it all—be pretty, successful, you name it—but a bad temperament or losing your poise can make it all look bad.
He acknowledges that life can throw a lot of hardship our way, but those who know how to face it with calmness will have more mental and spiritual sustenance.
How Purpose Drives Success and Achievement
Purpose helps us understand why we do what we do, and gives us direction when setting goals and working to achieve them. If we chase achievements without a clear sense of direction, it’s easy to be overcome by worry, fear, confusion, or self-pity. And when those emotions take over, we might experience failure, loss, or unhappiness.
Allen suggests that every human needs to define a purpose—something meaningful that helps them make their mark in the world. Whatever we see as our duty to the world should be central to that purpose. Our thoughts should always be tied to it.
We shouldn’t let our minds wander to empty longings or passing fancies. That’s how we preserve self-control and true concentration.
How Vision and Ideals Drive Personal Growth
If we cherish our dreams and the things we want to achieve, we’re more likely to reach them. Allen suggests this is because when we obsess over our visions, we feel like we have to act, we can’t rest until we work toward making them real. For example, Columbus likely discovered other parts of the world because he was so consumed by his vision of another world, he couldn’t stop until he found it.
Allen encourages you to cherish all the good visions you have for yourself. In doing so, you’ll likely achieve them. Even if your current circumstances seem bad, they won’t stay that way if you allow yourself to dream of beautiful possibilities. We should recognize that the people around us who reached their goals did so because of the power of thought. Their thoughts stayed locked onto their vision, despite challenges and setbacks. Their belief gave them strength and the will to keep pushing forward.
As a Man Thinketh Review
Many readers agree that this self-help book’s message is helpful: your thoughts influence your actions, and through mental powers, you can shape your world. Modern self help books often refer to this as the Law of Attraction or the workings of the subconscious mind.
Readers generally agree with Allen’s advice that if we maintain positive thoughts and mental harmony, we can achieve what he refers to as divine perfection. However, many readers find that Allen repeats some ideas. They question whether some ideas are valid. For example, they doubt the belief that all our illnesses come from negative thoughts. Nonetheless, this is a great short and inspiring read to help us achieve good things and navigate unpleasant experiences.
Is As a Man Thinketh worth reading?
Yes, As a Man Thinketh is worth reading. It’s a relatively short book packed with great ideas. If you’re looking for timeless wisdom on how your thoughts shape your character, actions, and circumstances, this book offers you this with a quick, impactful read.
Who Should Read As a Man Thinketh?
As a Man Thinketh is a must-read if you’re into personal growth, mindset, or just the whole idea of how powerful our thoughts can be. If you want to take charge of your life, develop a strong character, and see how your inner thoughts can shape your reality, this book is right up your alley. Ultimately, it’s perfect for anyone on a self-improvement journey.
Other Recommended Sources
Here is a selection of other great reads if you found value in As a Man Thinketh by James Allen:
- Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz explains how we can better observe and manage your thoughts to rewire your self-image, overcome mental barriers, and activate the brain’s natural success mechanism. Read more in our free Psycho-Cybenetics book summary.
- What to Say When You Talk to Yourself by Shad Helmstetter explains how you can manage your internal dialogue and reprogram yourself for success with positive self-talk. Read more in our free summary of What to Say When You Talk to Yourself.
- The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod shows how establishing a purposeful morning routine or morning ritual can shape your mindset, emotions, and outcomes. It’s a practical extension of Allen’s belief that intentional thinking leads to positive change and self-mastery. Read More in our free The Miracle Morning book summary.
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Chapter Index
See All Chapters (Click to expand)
Our summaries are reworded and reorganized for clarity and conciseness. Here’s the full chapter listing from As a Man Thinketh by James Allen, to give an overview of the original content structure in the book.
- Thought and character
- Effect of thought on circumstances
- Effect of thought on health and the body
- Thought and purpose
- The thought-factor in achievement
- Visions and ideals
- Serenity.
About James Allen
As a Man Thinketh is written by James Allen—a British philosophical writer known for his influential works on personal development and one of the pioneers of the self-help movement. Born in 1864, he focused much of his writing on the power of thought and its impact on character and circumstance. Allen’s most famous book, As a Man Thinketh, remains a classic in the genre, inspiring readers worldwide with its timeless wisdom. Throughout his life, he emphasized the importance of mental discipline and purposeful living. Although he lived a relatively private life, his writings have left a lasting legacy in the fields of motivation and self-improvement.
As a Man Thinketh Quotes
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so shall he be”
“Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power. ”
“As he thinks, so he is; as he continues to think, so he remains.”
“The body is the servant of the mind. It obeys the operations of the mind, whether they be deliberately chosen or automatically expressed.”
“Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves.”
“A noble and God-like character is not a thing of favor or chance, but is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effect of long-cherished association with God-like thoughts.”
