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TheSecretOfSuccess
ByWilliamWalkerAtkinson1907

CONTENTS
TheSecretofSuccess.......................................................................................................... 3
TheIndividual...................................................................................................................... 6
Spiritedness......................................................................................................................... 8
LatentPowers ................................................................................................................... 12
SoulForce ......................................................................................................................... 16
ThePowerofDesire.......................................................................................................... 20
TheLawofAttraction........................................................................................................ 24
PersonalMagnetism ......................................................................................................... 30
AttractivePersonality ....................................................................................................... 33
AnAfterword .................................................................................................................... 39

THESECRETOFSUCCESSBYWILLIAMWALKERATKINSON

TheSecretofSuccess
Itiswithsomehesitationthatwebringourselvestowritethislittlebook,entitledTheSecret
ofSuccess.Notthatwearenotinsympathywiththesubjectnotthatwedonotbelievethat
thereisaSecretofSuccessbutbecausetherehasbeensomuchwrittenonthesubjectof
Successthatistheveriesttwaddlemassesofplatitudinouswordinessthatwehesitateto
takethepositionofateacherofSuccess.Itissoeasytofillpagesofpaperwithgoodadviceit
issomucheasiertosaythingsthantodothemsomucheasiertoformulateacodeof
preceptsthantogetoutintothefieldofactiveendeavorandputintopracticethesame
percepts.And,youmayimaginewhywehesitatetoassumearolewhichwouldlayusopento
thesuspicionofbeingoneofthedoasItellyou,andnotasIdoteachersoftheArtof
Success.
Butthereisanothersideofthequestion.Thereis,besidesthemererecitalofaListofGood
QualitiesLeadingtoSuccessalistwithwhicheveryschoolboyandreaderofthemagazinesis
acquaintedaSomethingElse;andthatSomethingElse,isasuggestionthattheSeekerfor
SuccesshasaSomethingWithinhimselfwhichifexpressedintoactivityandactionwillproveof
greatvaluetohimaveritableSecretofSuccess,insteadofacodeofrules.And,sowe
proposetodevotethislittlebooktounfoldingourideaofwhatthisSomethingWithinis,and
whatitwilldoforonewhowillunfolditandthusexpressitintoaction.So,therefore,donot
expecttofindthisbookaCompleteCompendiumofRulesConducivetoSuccess,Approvedof
andFormulatedbytheSuccessfulMenoftheWorldwhobecameacquaintedwiththeseRules
onlyaftertheyhadAttainedSuccess,andconsequentlyhadTimeandInclinationtoPreachto
Others.Thisisnotabookofthatsort.ItisQuiteDifferent.Wehopeyouwilllikeititwilldo
yougoodinanyevent.
AllpeoplearestrivingandseekingSuccess.TheirideaofSuccessmaydiffer,buttheyhaveall
agreeduponthedesirabilityofAttainment.Attainmentthatistheword,whichembodiesthe
essenceofthatwhichwecallSuccess.ItistheGettingThereideatheideaofAttainment
ofReachingtheGoalforwhichwesetout.ThatisthestoryAttainment.
ManymenandwomenhaveendeavoredtopointoutthewaytoSuccess,andwhilesomehave
renderedvaluableservicetothosewhowerefollowingthemonthePathofAttainment,yet
nonehavebeenabletotellthewholestoryofSuccess.Andthisisnottobewonderedabout,
forthereasonthatontheroadtoSuccesseachandeveryindividualmustbe,inameasurea
lawuntohimself,orherself.NotwotemperamentsareexactlyalikeNaturedelightsin
variety;notwosetsofcircumstancesarepreciselythesameinfinitevarietymanifestshere
also.Andsoitwouldbefollytoattempttolaydownrulesofuniversalapplication,whichwould
surelyleadalltothegreatgoalofSuccess.Onehasbuttolookaroundhimonallsidesandsee
THESECRETOFSUCCESSBYWILLIAMWALKERATKINSON

thedifferentneedsofthedifferentindividualscomposingthecrowd,inordertorecognizethe
futilityofanyattempttolaydownlinesofuniversalinstructiononthissubject.Eachandevery
manwhohassucceededhasdonesoinadifferentwaygenerallyalongsomeoriginallinesof
actioninfact,thefacultyorcharacteristicknownasIndividuality,seemstohaveplayedan
importantpartinthesuccessofthemajorityofpersonswhohaveattainedit.AndIndividuality
rendersthosepossessingittoamarkeddegreetobelikelytodepartfromanysetofrulesor
laidoutcoursesofaction.Andso,itmaybestatedasageneralprinciplethateachmustwork
outhisownSuccessalongthelinesofhisownIndividuality,ratherthanbyfollowinganyset
ruleorlineofconduct.
Inviewofwhatwehavejustsaid,itmayseemstrangethatfeelingaswedowehaveventured
towritealittlebookentitledTheSecretofSuccess,particularlyaswehavestartedthesaid
bookbydeclaringtheimpossibilityoflayingdownanysetrulesonthesubject.Thismayseem
likeaparadox,butalittleexaminationwillshowyouthatitisnotso.Itistruethatwebelieve
thateachandeverypersonmustworkouthisownSuccess,alongthelinesofhisown
Individuality,insteadofalongsomecutanddriedplan.AndrighthereiswheretheSecretof
Successcomesin.Alongthelinesofhisownindividuality,wehavejustsaidthenitmust
followthatonemustpossessIndividualitybeforehemayworkalongitslines.Andinthe
measurethathepossessesIndividuality,sowillhepossessthefirstprerequisitetoSuccess.And
thatiswhatwemeanbyTheSecretofSuccessINDIVIDUALITY.
EverypersonpossessesdormantandlatentIndividualitybutonlyafewallowittoexpress
itself.Themajorityofusarelikehumansheeptrottingalongcomplacentlyaftersomeself
assertivebellwether,whosetinklingbellservestoguideourfootsteps.Wehaveabsorbedthe
notionsomehowthatthesebellwetherspossessthesumandsubstanceofhumanknowledge
andpower,andabilitytothinkandinsteadofunfoldingourowndormantpowers,andlatent
possibilities,weallowthemtoremaininobscurity,andwetrotalong,jogittyjoggityjogafter
ourpetbellwether.Peopleareverymuchlikesheepinthiswaytheyareobedientand
imitativeanimals,andratherthanassumetheresponsibilityofdirectingtheirownfootsteps,
theywaituntilsomeonetakesthelead,andthenawaytheystampedeafterhim.Isitany
wonderthattheleadersclaimthechoicestpickingsforthemselves,andallowtheflocktoget
onlythescrubbygrass?Notabitofittheyhaveearnedthechoicebitsbyreasonoflockof
IndividualityandInitiativeonthepartofthosefollowingtheminfact,theywerechosenas
leadersbecauseofthisselfassertive,andselfdirectivequality.Iftheyhadstoodbackina
modest,mildmanner,theywouldhavebeenpushedasidebytheflockthatwoulddisclaim
themasleaders,infavorofotherswhoknewhowtopushtothefront.
Now,inthislittlebookweshallnotendeavortoawakenaspiritofbellwetherisminyou,nor
tourgeyoutostrivetoleadtheflockthereisnothinginthemereleadingofpeopleother
thanvaingloryandpettyselfsatisfaction.Thedesirablethingistopossesssufficient
IndividualityandInitiativetobeyourownbellwethertobealawuntoyourself,sofarasother
THESECRETOFSUCCESSBYWILLIAMWALKERATKINSON

menareconcerned.Thegreatmenthestrongmencarenothingfortheflock,whichso
obedientlytrotsalongafterthem.Theyderivenosatisfactionfromthisthing,whichpleases
onlyinferiorminds,andgratifiesonlypettynaturesandambitions.Thebigmenthegreat
spiritsofallageshavederivedmoresatisfactionfromthatinwardconvictionofstrengthand
abilitywhichtheyfeltunfoldingintoactivitywithinthemselves,thanintheplauditsofthemob,
orintheservilityofthoseimitativecreatureswhosoughttofollowintheirfootsteps.
And,thisthingcalledIndividualityisarealthing.Inherentineachofus,andwhichmaybe
developedandbroughtintoactivityineachoneofusifwegoaboutitright.Individualityisthe
expressionofourSelfthatSelfwhichiswhatwemeanwhenwesayI.Eachofusisan
IndividualanIdifferingfromeveryotherIintheuniverse,sofaraspersonalexpression
isconcerned.AndinthemeasurethatweexpressandunfoldthepowersofthatI,soarewe
great,strongandsuccessful.Weallhaveitinusitdependsuponustogetitoutinto
Expression.And,thisIndividualExpressionliesattheheartoftheSecretofSuccess.Andthat
iswhyweusethetermandthatiswhatweshalltellyouaboutinthislittlebook.Itwillpay
foryoutolearnthisSecret.

THESECRETOFSUCCESSBYWILLIAMWALKERATKINSON

TheIndividual
InourlastlessonwestatedthatweconsideredtheSecretofSuccesstoconsistprincipallyof
theFreeExpressionoftheIndividualtheI.Butbeforeyouwillbeabletoapplythisidea
successfully,youmustfirstawakentoarealizationofwhattheIndividualtheIwithinyou
reallyis.Thisstatementmayappearridiculousatfirsttomanyofyou,butitwillpayyouto
acquaintyourselffullywiththeideabehindit,foruponthetruerealizationofIcomesPower.
Ifyouwillstopandtakestockofyourself,youwillfindthatyouareamorecomplexbeingthan
youhadatfirstconsideredyourselftobe.InthefirstplacethereistheI,whichistheRealSelf
ortheIndividual,andthereistheMe,whichissomethingattachedtoandbelongingtothe
IthePersonality.Forproofofthis,lettheItakestockoftheMe,anditwillfindthatthe
latterconsistsofthreephasesorprinciples,(ie.1.ThePhysicalBody;2.TheVitalEnergy;3.The
Mind).ManypeopleareinthehabitatofregardingtheirbodiesastheIpartofthem,buta
littleconsiderationwillshowthemthatthebodyisbutamaterialcovering,ormachinethrough
whichandbymeansofwhichtheIisabletomanifestitself.Alittlethoughtwillshowthat
onemaybevividlyconsciousoftheIAmpartofhimselfwhiletotallyobliviousofthe
presenceofthephysicalbody.Thisbeingso,itfollowsthattheIisindependentofthebody,
andthatthelatterfallsintotheMeclassification.ThephysicalbodymayexistaftertheI
hasleftitthedeadbodyisnottheI.Thephysicalbodyiscomposedofcountlessparticles
whicharechangingplaceseverymomentofourlivesourbodyoftodayisentirelydifferent
fromourbodyofayearago.
ThencomesthesecondprincipleoftheMetheVitalEnergy,orwhatmanycallLife.Thisis
seentobeindependentofthebody,whichitenergizes,butit,too,istransitoryand
changeable,andreadilymaybeseentobebutasomethingusedtoanimateandenergizethe
bodyaninstrumentoftheI,andthereforeaprincipleoftheMe.What,then,islefttothe
Itoexamineanddetermineitsnature?Theanswerthatcomesnaturallytothelipsis,The
Mind,bywhichIknowthetruthofwhatyouhavejustsaid.But,stopamoment,youhave
said,speakingofthemind,bywhichIknowhaveyounot,insayingthis,acknowledgedthe
mindtobeasomethingthroughwhichtheIacts?ThinkamomentisthemindYOU?You
areawarethatyourmentalstateschangeyouremotionsvaryyourfeelingsdifferfromtime
totimeyourveryideasandthoughtsareinconsistentandaresubjecttooutsideinfluences,or
elsearemoldedandgovernedbythatwhichyoucallI,oryourRealSelf.Thentheremustbe
somethingbehindMentalStates,Ideas,Feelings,Thoughts,etc.,whichissuperiortothemand
whichknowsthemjustasoneknowsathingapartfromitselfbutwhichituses.YousayI
feel;Ithink;Ibelieve;Iknow;Iwill;etc.,etc.NowwhichistheRealSelf?TheMental
StatesjustmentionedortheIwhichisthesubjectorRealCauseofthementalphenomena?
ItisnottheMindthatknows,buttheIwhichusestheMindinordertoknow.Thismayseem
THESECRETOFSUCCESSBYWILLIAMWALKERATKINSON

alittleabstrusetoyouifyouhaveneverbeenmadeastudyofthesubject,butthinkitovera
littleandtheideawillclearlydefineitselfinyourmind.
Wearenottellingyouthesethingsmerelytogiveyouanideaofmetaphysics,philosophy,or
psychologytherearemanybooksthatgointothesemattersatlengthandindetailsoitis
notforthatreason.TherealreasonisthatwitharealizationoftheIorRealSelf,comesa
senseofPowerthatwillmanifestthroughyouandmakeyoustrong.Theawakeningtoa
realizationoftheI,initsclearnessandvividness,willcauseyoutofeelasenseofBeingand
Powerthatyouhaveneverbeforeknown.BeforeyoucanexpressIndividuality,youmust
realizethatyouareanIndividual.AndyoumustbeawareofthisIwithinyoubeforeyoucan
realizethatyouareanIndividual.
TheMesideofyouiswhatiscalledPersonality,totheouterappearanceofyourself.Your
Personalityismadeupofcountlesscharacteristics,traits,habits,thoughts,expressionsand
motionsitisabunchofpeculiaritiesandpersonaltraitsthatyouhavebeenthinkingwasthe
realIallthistime.Butitisnot.DoyouknowwhattheideaofPersonalityarosefrom?Letus
tellyou.Turntothepagesofanygooddictionary,andyouwillseethatthewordoriginated
fromtheLatinwordPersona,meaningamaskusedbyactorsinancienttimes,andwhich
thewordinturnwasderivedfromtwootherwords,sonare,meaningtosound,andper,
meaningthrough,thetwowordscombinedmeaningtosoundthroughtheideabeing
thatthevoiceoftheactorsoundedthroughthemaskoftheassumedpersonalityorcharacter.
WebstergivesthefollowingasoneofthemeaningsofPerson,eventothisday:Acharacter
orpart,asinaplay;anassumedcharacter.Sothen,Personalitymeansthepartyouareplaying
intheGreatPlayofLife,ontheStageoftheUniverse.TherealIndividualconcealedbehindthe
maskofPersonalityisYOUtheRealSelftheIthatpartofyouwhichyouareconscious
whenyousayIAM,whichisyourassertionofexistenceandlatentpower.Individualmeans
somethingthatcannotbedividedorsubtractedfromsomethingthatcannotbeinjuredor
hurtbyoutsideforcessomethingREAL.AndyouareanIndividualaRealSelfanI
SomethingendowedwithLife,Mind,andPower,touse,asyouwill.
ApoetnamedOrrwrote:
LordofathousandworldsamI,
AndIreignsincetimebegan;
Andnightandday,incyclicsway,
ShallpasswhiletheirdeedsIscan.
YettimeshallceaseereIfindrelease,
ForIAMthesoulofMan

THESECRETOFSUCCESSBYWILLIAMWALKERATKINSON

Spiritedness
Tomanyofyou,thetitleofthislessonSpiritednessmayseemtohavesomeconnection
withspirits,disembodiedentities,orelsethesoulorsomehigherpartofit,towhichthe
nameSpiritisoftenapplied.But,inthiscase,weusethewordinadifferentsense,andyetina
senseapprovedbymanyadvancedteachersandinvestigatorsoftheoccultandspiritual.Oneof
themeaningsofthewordspiritasgivenbyWebsterisasfollows:Energy,vivacity,ardor,
enthusiasm,courage,etc.,whilethesameauthoritydefinesthewordspiritedas:
Animated;fulloflifeandvigor,lively,etc.Thesedefinitionswillgiveyouahintofthesensein
whichwearenowusingtheterm,butthereisstillmoretoit.
TousthewordSpiritexpressestheideaoftherealessentialnatureoftheUniversalPower,and
whichisalsomanifestedinmanasthecenterofhisbeinghisessentialstrengthandpower,
fromwhenceproceedsallthatrendershimanIndividual.Spiritednessdoesnotmeanthe
qualityofbeingethereal,goodygoody,spiritual,otherworldly,oranythingofthatsort.It
meansthestateofbeinganimated,meaning,possessedoflifeandvigorsothatthestate
isreallythatofbeingfilledwithPowerandLife.AndthatPowerandLifecomesfromthevery
centerofonesbeingtheIAMregionorplaneofmindandconsciousness.
Spiritednessismanifestedindifferentdegreesamongdifferentmenandevenamongthe
animals.Itisanelementary,fundamental,primitivequalityandexpressionofLife,anddoesnot
dependuponculture,refinementoreducationitsdevelopmentseemstodependuponsuch
instinctiveorintuitionalrecognitionoftheSomethingWithinthePoweroftheIndividual
whichisderivedfromthatUniversalPowerofwhichweareallexpressions.Andevensomeof
theanimalsseemtopossessit.
ArecentwriterontheTamingofAnimalsexpressesinstinctiverealizationofSpiritedness
amongsomeofthehigheranimalsasfollows:Puttwomalebaboonsinthesamecage,and
theywillopentheirmouths,showalltheirteeth,andblowateachother.Butoneofthem,
eventhoughhemaypossesstheuglierdentition,willblowwithadifference,withaninward
shakinessthatmarkshimastheunderdogatonce.Notestofbattleisneededatall.Itisthe
samewiththebigcats.Puttwo,orfour,oradozenlionstogether,andtheyalso,probably
withoutasinglecontest,willsoondiscoverwhichoneofthempossessesthemettleofthe
master.Thereafterhetakesthechoiceofthemeat;ifhechooses,therestshallnotevenbegin
toeatuntilhehasfinished;hegoesfirsttothefreshpanofwater.Inshortheiskingofthe
cage.Now,then,whenatamergoesintoadenwithabigcatthathastakenanotiontoact
funny,hisattitudeisalmostexactlythatofthekingbeastabovementionedwouldbetoward
asubjectrashandilladvisedenoughtochallengehiskingship.

THESECRETOFSUCCESSBYWILLIAMWALKERATKINSON

Youwillnoticeintheabovequotation,thatthewriterstatesclearlythatitisnotalwaysthe
baboonwiththefiercesttusksthatisthemaster,neitherdoesthekinglionnecessarilyassert
hisdominionbywinningaphysicalfightitissomethingfarmoresubtlethanthephysicalit
isthemanifestationofsomesoulqualityoftheanimal.Andsoitiswithmen,itisnotalways
thebiggestandstrongestphysicallywhoruletherulerbecomessobyreasonofthe
mysterioussoulqualitywhichwecallSpiritedness,andwhichmenoftencallnerve,or
mettle,orsand.Whentwoindividualscomeintocontactwitheachotherthereismental
struggletheremaynotbeevenawordutteredandyetsoulgrappleswithsoulasthetwo
pairsofeyesgazeintoeachother,andasubtlesomethingineachengagesandgrappleswitha
subtlesomethingintheother.Itmaybealloverinamoment,buttheconflictissettledforthe
time,andeachofthementalcombatantsknowsthatheisvictorordefeated,asthecasemay
be.Theremaybenofeelingofantagonismbetweenthepartiesengaging,butnevertheless
thereseemstobeaninwardrecognitiononbothsidesthatthereissomethingbetweenthem
alwaysleads.Andthisleadershipdoesnotdependuponphysicalstrength,intellectual
attainment,orcultureintheordinarysense,butuponthemanifestationandrecognitionofthat
subtlequalitythatwehavecalledSpirit.
Peopleunconsciouslyasserttheirrecognitionofqualityinthemselvesandothers,bytheiruse
oftheterm.Weoftenhearofpeoplelackingspirit;beingspiritless;andofothershaving
hadtheirspiritbroken;etc.Thetermisusedinthesenseofmettle.Amettledhorseor
manishighspirited,accordingtothedictionaries;andthesameauthoritiesdefine
mettlesomeasfullofspirit,soyouseethetermisusedaswehaveemployeditbutthe
explanationofthesourceofthespiritednessisnotgiven.Breedersofthoroughbredracing
horseswilltellyouthatahorsehavingspiritwillrunagamerraceandwilloftenoutdistance
andoutwindahorsehavinghigherphysicalcharacteristics,butlessspiritorclass.
Horsemeninsistthatthepossessionofspiritinahorseisrecognizedbytheotherhorses,who
areeffectedbyitandbecomediscouragedandallowthemselvestobebeaten,althoughoften
theymaybebetterracingmachines,physically.Thisspiritisafundamentalvitalstrength
possessedbyalllivingthingsindegreesanditmaybedevelopedandstrengthenedinones
self.Inournextlessonweshallreciteafewinstancesofitsmanifestationamongmen.
OliverWendellHolmes,inoneofhisbooks,givesthefollowingvividdescriptionoftheconflict
ofspiritednessbetweentwomen:TheKohinoorsfaceturnedsowhitewithragethathis
blueblackmustacheandbeardlookedfearfulagainstit.Hegrinnedwithwrath,andcaughtata
tumbler,asifhewouldhavethrownitscontentsatthespeaker.TheyoungMarylanderfixed
hisclear,steadyeyeuponhim,andlaidhishandonhisarm,carelesslyalmost,buttheJewel
feltthathecouldnotmoveit.Itwasnouse.Theyouthwashismaster,andinadeadlyIndian
huginwhichmenwrestlewiththeireyes,overinfiveseconds,butwhichbreaksoneoftheir
twobacks,andisgoodforthreescoreyearsandten,onetrialenoughsettlesthewhole
matterjustaswhentwofeatheredsongstersofthebarnyard,gameanddunghill,come
together.Afterajumportwoateachother,andafewsharpkicks,thereisanendtoit;anditis
THESECRETOFSUCCESSBYWILLIAMWALKERATKINSON

Afteryou,monsieur,withthebeatenpartyinallthesocialrelationsforalltherestofhis
days.
Fothergillsays:EmilyBrontesketchedoutheridealofabeingpossessedofimmense
willpowerinathoroughruffianHeathcliff.Amassive,muscularbrute!Well,itwasagirls
conceptionofastrongman;butIthinkIhaveseensomequiet,inoffensivelookingmenin
spectacles,whocouldverysoonhaveshowntheruffianwherethesuperioritylay.
AcelebratedhistoricalexampleofSpiritedness,underapparentlyoverwhelmingodds,isthatof
theinterviewbetweenHugo,BishopofLincolnandRichardCoeurdeLion,inthechurchof
RochedAndeli.InhisdesiretoprosecutethewarinNormandy,Richarddemandedadditional
suppliesandmoneyfromhisbaronsandbishops,butHugorefusedtofurnishmenormoney.
HeclaimedthatalthoughtheSeeofLincolnwaslegallyboundtosupplymenandmoneyfor
militaryservicewithinthefourseasofBritain,thewarinNormandydidnotcomeunderthat
head,andhedefiedtheking.KingRichard,calledtheLionHearted,wasadangerousmanto
defy,andsowhenhesummonedBishopHugotoNormandy,andthelatterwentforthtobeard
thelioninhisden,fewdoubtedtheoutcome,andthebishopsdownfallwastakenasamatter
ofcourse.WhenthebishoplandedinNormandytwofriendlybaronswhoinformedhimthat
thekingwasinaterriblerageagainsthim,andwhoadvisedhimtosendsomehumble,
conciliatorymessagetohimbeforeenteringtheroyalpresence.Butthebishoprefusedtodo
this,andproceededboldlytomeethismonarch.RichardwassittingatMasswhenthebishop
entered.Hugowalkeduptohim,anddisregardinghisfrown,said,Kissme,mylordKing!
Richardturnedwrathfullyaway,withholdinghissalute.ButHugo,gazingintohiseyes,and
shakingtheroyalshouldervigorously,repeatedhisdemand.Thouhastnotdeservedit,
roaredthekinginangerandchagrin.Ihave,retortedHugo,shakingtheroyalshoulderthe
harder.Thekinggraduallydroppedhiseyesfromthoseofthebishop,andgavethekingly
saluteandkiss,andthebishoppassedoncalmlytotakepartintheservice.Hugoafterward
defiedthekinginhiscouncilchamber,andpersistedinhisrefusal,andevenventuredtorebuke
hisroyalmasterforinfidelitytothequeen.Thecouncilwasastounded,forknowingRichards
courageandfierytempertheyexpectedtoseeHugocrushinamomentbutinsteadhe
emergedthevictorinthestruggleofSpiritedness.Thehistoriansays:TheLionwastamedfor
themoment.TheKingacknowledgednothing,butrestrainedhispassion,remarkingafterward,
IfallbishopswerelikemylordofLincoln,notaprinceamonguscouldlifthisheadamong
them.
AndthiswasnotthefirsttimethatthisdoughtyBishopofLincolnhadvanquishedaking.Inhis
earlierdays,shortlyafterKingHenryPlantagenethadcreatedhimbishop,hebecameinvolved
inafiercedisputewiththatmonarch.HenrywasatWoodstockParksurroundedbyhis
courtierswhenHugoapproached.Thekingfeignednottoseethebishop,takingnonotice
whatsoeverofhim.Afterafewmomentsofstrainedsilence,thebishop,pushingasidea
powerfulearlwhowasseatedbythekingsside,tookhisplacebesidetheking.Theking
THESECRETOFSUCCESSBYWILLIAMWALKERATKINSON

10

pretendedtobemendinghisleatherglove.Thebishopcheerfullyandlightlysaid:Your
MajestyremindsmeofyourcousinatFalaise.FalaisewastheplaceatwhichHenrysancestor
DukeRobertmetArlotta,thedaughterofatannerofleather,whoborehimhisillegitimateson
whowasafterwardknownasWilliamtheConqueror.TheBishopsimpudentallusiontothe
kingsancestrywastoomuchforthelatter,andhewasbadlyworstedintheencounterand
lateraccededtothewishesofthebishop.
ButasFothergilltrulysays:ItisagreatmistaketosupposethatthisWillisdisposedtoairitself
onalloccasions;farfromit.Itoftenhasatendencytoconcealitself,andisnotrarelyfound
underandexteriorofmuchpleasantness.Therearemen,andwomen,too,whopresentan
appearanceofsuchpolitenessthattheyseemtohavenowilloftheirown;theyapparently
existmerelytodowhatisagreeabletoothers;butjustwaittillthetimecomes,andthenthe
latentwillpowerisrevealed,andwefindunderthisvelvetglovetheironhandandno
mistakeaboutit.Itisthesecretofthediplomatist.Talleyrandpossessedittoaremarkable
degree,andwasacool,bold,successfuldiplomat;Cavouralsopossessedthispowerandusedit
wisely.Theblustererandbraggeraredevoidofit.Itisasubtle,tenuousPower,restinglatent
beneaththesurfaceandoutofevidencebutwhenneededitflashesforthlikethedynamic
electricspark,drivingallbeforeit.Itisanelementalforce,ofirresistiblepower.

THESECRETOFSUCCESSBYWILLIAMWALKERATKINSON

11

LatentPowers
Themajorityofyouknowbyactualexperienceineverydaylifethatwehavewithinourphysical
organismthatwhichwecallsecondwind.Wehaveessayedsomephysicaltask,andaftera
bitfoundourselveswinded,thatisshortofbreath,andwearetemptedtostopandrestour
pantingbodies.But,wehavealsofoundbyexperiencethatifwewillsticktothetaskathand
thefeelingofphysicaldistresswillusuallypassaway,andwewillgainwhatiscalledour
secondwind.Nowjustwhatthissecondwindis,isamatterthathaslongperplexed
physiologists,andeventodaytheyhavenotbeenabletohandusdownaverygoodguessat
theunderlyingcauseofthephenomenon.Itseemstobeafreshstartacquiredbyreasonofthe
openingupofreservestoresofvitalenergylatentphysicalpowerstoredawayforsuch
emergencies.Allpersonswhohaveengagedinathleticsportsknowverywellthedetailsofthis
peculiarphysiologicalphenomenonitsactualityistoofirmlyestablishedtoadmitanydoubt.
And,asisoftenthecase,examinationshowsacuriousparallelbetweentheworkingofNature
onthementalplaneandonthephysical.Justasthereisaphysicalsecondwind,soistherea
mentalreserveforceorlatentenergyuponwhichwecandrawandthusgetafreshstart.The
phenomenaattendantuponphysicalsecondwind,asnotedabove,isalmostexactly
duplicatedbycertainmentalphenomena.Wemaybejadedwhileperformingsometediousbit
ofmentalwork,andwebegintofeelthatweareallin,whenlo!Somenewinandawaywe
areoffwithafullmentalsecondwinddoingourworkwithafreshness,vigorandenthusiasm
farsurpassingtheoriginaleffort.Wehavetappedintoafreshsourceorsupplyofmental
energy.
Themajorityofushavelittleornoconceptionofthereservementalenergiesandforces
containedwithinourbeing.Wejogalongatourcustomarygait,thinkingthatwearedoingour
bestandgettingalloutoflifethatthereisinitthinkweareexpressingourselvestoour
utmostcapacity.Butwearelivingonlyinthefirstwindmentalstate,andbehindourworking
mentalityarestoresofwonderfulmentalenergyandpowerfacultieslyingdormantpower
lyinglatentawaitingthemagiccommandoftheWillinordertoawakenintoactivityand
outwardexpression.Wearefargreaterbeingsthanwehaverealizedwearegiantsofpower,
ifwedidbutknowit.Manyofusarelikeyoungelephantsthatallowthemselvestobe
masteredbyweakmen,andputthroughtheirpaces,littledreamingofthemightystrengthand
powerconcealedwithintheirorganisms.Thoseofyouwhohavereadourlittlemanualentitled
TheInnerConsciousnesswillrecallwhatwesaidthereinregardingtheregionsaboveand
belowtheplaneoftheordinaryouterconsciousness.Andonthosehiddenplanesofthemind,
areuntoldpossibilitiestherawmaterialsformightymentaltasksandachievementthe
storagebatteriesofwonderfulaccomplishment.Thetroublewithusisthatwedonotrealize
theexistenceofthesefaculties.Wethinkthatwearemerelywhatwemanifestinourordinary
THESECRETOFSUCCESSBYWILLIAMWALKERATKINSON

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dogtrotgait.Anotherproblemisthatwehavenothadtheincentivetotakeactionwehave
lackedtheinteresttodogreatthingswehaventwantedtohardenough.Thiswanttohard
enoughisthegreatincitingpowerinlife.DesireisthefirewhichrousesupthesteamofWill.
WithoutIncentiveandthatmeansDesireweaccomplishnothing.Giventhegreat,earnest,
burningardentDesireasananimatingforcethegreatincentivetotakeaction,andweare
abletogetupthismentalsecondwindyes,third,fourth,andfifthwindstappingone
planeofinwardpowerafteranother,untilweworkmentalmiracles.
Wewonderattheachievementsofthegreatmeninallwalksoflife,andweareapttoexcuse
ourselvesbythesadremarkthatthesepeopleseemtohaveitinthem,whilewehavenot.
Nonsense,weallhaveitinustodothingsahundredtimesgreaterthanwearedoing.The
troubleisnotingreaterthanwearedoing.Thetroubleisnotinthelackofpowerandmental
material,butintheDesireandInterest,andIncentivetoarouseintoactivitythosewonderful
storehousesofdynamicpowerwithinourmentalitywefailtocallintoourdisposal,andwhich
islikeallothernaturalpowersandforceseagerandanxioustobemanifestedandexpressed.
Yes,thatswhatwesaidanxiousandeager,forallnaturalforces,pennedupandinastatic
conditionseemtobeburstingwithdesiretomanifestandexpressintoouterdynamicactivity.
Thisseemstobealawoflifeandnature.Natureandallinitseemstobeeagerforactive
expression.Haveyounotbeensurprisedatyourselvesattimes,whenundersomeslightly
higherpressureandincentiveSomethingWithinyouseemedtobreakitsboundsandfairly
carryyouoffofyourfeetinitsrushintoactivework?Haveyounotaccomplishedtasksunder
thestressofasuddenurgentneed,thatyouwouldhavedeemedimpossibleincoldblood.
Haveyounotcarriedallbeforeyouwhenyouwarmeduptothetask,whereasyourordinary
selfwouldhavestoodarounddoingnothingunderordinarycircumstances.
EarnestnessandEnthusiasmaretwogreatfactorsinbringingintooperationtheselatentforces,
anddormantpowersofthementality.Butoneneednotstandbyandwaituntilyouwork
yourselfintoafitoffervorbeforetheenergiesspringintoaction.Youcanbyacarefultraining
oftheWillorrather,byacarefullytrainingofyourselfuseyouWillmanagetogetholdof
thementalthrottle,sothatyoumaypullitdownandturnonafullheadofsteamwhenever
necessary.Andwhenyouhaveoncemasteredthis,youwillfindthatyouarenotanymoretired
whenrunningunderfullpressure,thanwhenyouarecrawlingalongthisbeingoneofthe
SecretsofSuccess.
Tomanyaperson,thetermTheWill,meansmerelyafirm,steadfastnessofmind,akinto
DeterminationandFixityofPurpose.ToothersitmeanssomethinglikeDesire.Toothers,it
meansthepowerofchoice,etc.Buttooccultists,theWillissomethingfarmorethanthese
thingsitmeansaVitalPoweranActingForceoftheMindcapableofdominatingand
rulingtheothermentalfacultiesaswellasprojectingitselfbeyondthementalorgansofthe
individualandaffectingotherscomingwithinitsfieldofinfluence.Anditisinthissensethatwe
usethewordWillinthislesson.
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Wehavenodesiretotakethereaderintothedimrealmsofmetaphysics,orevenintothe
lighterbutstillarduouspathsofscientificpsychology,butwemustacquainthimwiththefact
oftheexistenceofthisthingthatwecallWillPower,anditsrelationtotheI.Ofallthemental
facultiesorpowers,thatoftheWillistheclosesttotheIorEgooftheperson.ItistheSword
ofPowerclaspedinthehandoftheEgo.Onemaydivorcehimselfinthoughtfromtheother
mentalfacultiesandstates,butwhenhethinksoftheIheisboundtothinkofitas
possessingthatpowerwhichwecallWill.TheWillisaprimal,originalpoweroftheIwhichis
alwayswithituntiltheend.Itistheforcewithwhichherules(orshouldrule)hismentaland
physicalkingdomthepowerofwhichhisIndividualitymanifestsitselfupontheoutsideworld.
DesireisthegreatmotivepowerincitingtheWilltoactioninlife.Aswehaveshownyouthe
actionofWillwithoutthemotivepowerofDesireisunthinkable,andthereforeitfollowsthat
thecultureandrightdirectionofDesirecarrieswithitthechannelofexpressionand
manifestationoftheWill.YoucultivatecertainDesires,inorderthattheWillmayflowout
alongthesechannels.BycultivatingtheDesirealongcertainlines,youaremakingchannels
alongwhichtheWillmayflowinitsrushtowardexpressionandmanifestation.Sobesureto
mapoutyourDesirechannelsclearlybymakingtheproperMentalImagesofwhatyouwant
besureandmaketheDesirechannelsdeepandclearcutbytheforceofrepeatedattention
andautosuggestion.
HistoryisfilledwithexamplesofmenwhohavedevelopedtheuseoftheWill.Wesay
developedtheuseratherthandevelopedWill,formandoesnotdevelophisWillhisWill
isalwaystherereadyforuseamandevelopshisabilitytousetheWillperfectshimselfinits
use.Wehavefrequentlyusedthefollowingillustration,andhavenotbeenabletoimprove
uponit:Manislikeatrolleycar,withtheupraisedtrolleypoleofhismindreachingouttothe
livewireofWill.AlongthatwireisflowingthecurrentofWillPower,whichittapsanddraws
downintohismind,andbywhichheisabletomove,andactandmanifestpower.Butthe
powerisalwaysintheWire,andhisdevelopingconsistsintheabilitytoraisethepoletothe
Wire,andthustapintoitsenergy.Ifyouwillcarrythisideainyourmind,youwillbeableto
applythistruthmoreeasilyinyoureverydaylife.
Agreatpromoterofthesteelpen,andelectroplatingindustries,possessesthisqualitytoa
markeddegree.Ithasbeensaidofhimthat:Hehad,tobeginwith,astrong,powerful,almost
irresistibleWill;andwhoeverandwhateverheopposed,hesurelyconqueredintheend.
Buxtonsaid:ThelongerIlive,themorecertainIamthatthegreatdifferencebetweenmen,
betweenthefeebleandthepowerful,thegreatandtheinsignificant,isEnergyInvincible
Determinationapurposeoncefixed,andtheVictoryorDeath.Thatqualitywilldoanything
thatcanbedoneinthisworldandnotalents,nocircumstances,noopportunities,willmakea
twoleggedcreatureamanwithoutit.Inthislastquotationandtheoneprecedingit,theidea
ofPersistenceandDeterminationisidentifiedcloselywiththatofWill.Andtheyareclosely
identified,theideabeingthattheWillshouldbeheldclose,fast,andsteadilyagainstthetask
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tobeaccomplished,justasthesteelchiselisheldfirmlyupagainsttheobjectonthelathe,until
itsworkisaccomplished.ItisnotthemereDeterminationorPersistencythatdoesthework
thesewouldbeofnoavailunlesstheWillweretheretodothecuttingandshaping.Butthen
again,thereisadoubleaspectofWillheretheWillinonephasedoesthework,whilein
anotheritforcesthemindtoholditupagainstthetask.So,inasensetheWillisthepower
backofDeterminationandpersistency,aswellastheforcedoingtheworkthecuttingedge
ofthechisel,aswellasthefirmhandthatholdsittoitswork.
Simpsonhassaid:ApassionateDesire,andanunweariedWillcanperformimpossibilities,or
whatwouldseemtobesuch,tothecoldandfeeble.Disraelisaid:Ihavebroughtmyselfby
longmeditationtotheconvictionthatahumanbeingwithasettledpurposemustaccomplish
it,andthatnothingcanresistaWillwhichwillstakeevenexistenceuponitsfulfillment.Foster
says:Itiswonderfulhoweventhecasualtiesoflifeseemtobowtoaspiritthatwillnotbowto
them,andyieldtosubserveadesignwhichtheymay,intheirfirstapparenttendency,threaten
tofrustrate.Whenafirm,decisivespiritisrecognized,itiscurioustoseehowthespaceclears
aroundamanandleaveshimroomandfreedom.Mitchellhassaid:Resolveiswhatmakesa
manmanifest;notpunyresolve;notcrudedetermination;noterrantpurposebutthatstrong
andindefatigableWillwhichtreadsdowndifficultiesanddanger,asaboytreadsdownthe
heavingfrostlandsofwinter,whichkindleshiseyeandbrainwithaproudpulsebeattoward
theunattainable.Willmakesmengiants.
So,raisethatmentaltrolleypole,andtouchthelivewireofWill.

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SoulForce
YouoftenhaveheardthewordEnthusiasmusedhaveuseditoftenyourself.Buthaveyou
everthoughtofwhatthewordreallymeansfromwhatsourceitoriginatedwhatisits
essentialspirit?Fewhave.ThewordEnthusiasmisderivedfromtheGreektermmeaningto
beinspired;tobepossessedbythegods,etc.,thetermhavingbeenoriginallyusedto
designatethementalstateofaninspiredpersonwhoseemstobeundertheinfluenceofa
higherpower.Thetermoriginallymeant,Inspiredbyasuperhumanordivinepower;ecstasy;
etc.Itisnowused,accordingtoWebster,inthesenseof:Enkindledandkindlingfervorof
soul;ardentandimaginativezealorinterest;livelymanifestationofjoyorzeal;etc.Theword
hasacquiredasecondary,andunfavorablemeaninginthesenseofvisionaryzeal;imaginative
fervor;etc.;butitsrealandprimarymeaningisthatardent,livelyzealandinterestinainner
forcesofonesnature.Realenthusiasmmeansapowerfulmentalstateexertedinfavorof,or
against,someidea.
ApersonfilledwithEnthusiasmseemsindeedtobeinspiredbysomepowerorbeinghigher
thanhimselfhetapsontoasourceofpowerofwhichheisnotordinarilyconscious.Andthe
resultisthathebecomesasagreatmagnetradiatingattractiveforceinalldirectionsand
influencingthosewithinhisfieldofinfluence.ForEnthusiasmiscontagiousandwhenreally
experiencedbytheindividualrendershimasourceofinductivepower,andacenterofmental
influence.Butthepowerwithwhichheisfilleddoesnotcomefromanoutsidesourceit
comesfromcertaininnerregionsofhismindorsoulfromhisInnerConsciousness.Thosewho
havereadourlittlemanualentitledInnerConsciousnesswillreadilyunderstandfromwhat
partofthementalitysuchpowerisderived.Enthusiasmisreallysoulpower,andwhen
genuineissorecognizedandfeltbythosecomingwithinitsfieldofinfluence.
WithoutacertainamountofEnthusiasmnooneeverhasattainedSuccess,andneverwilldo
so.ThereisnopowerinpersonalintercoursethatcanbecomparedtoEnthusiasmoftheright
sort.ItcomprisesEarnestness,Concentration,andPower,andthereareaveryfewpeoplethat
cannotbeinfluencedinsomedegreebyitsmanifestationbyanother.Fewpeoplerealizethe
actualvalueofEnthusiasm.Manyhavesucceededbyreasonofitspossession,andmanyhave
failedbyreasonofitslack.Enthusiasmisthesteamthatdrivesourmentalmachinery,and
whichindirectlythusaccomplishesthegreatthingsinlife.Youcannotaccomplishtasks
properlyyourselfunlessyoumanifestadegreeofinterestinthem,andwhatisEnthusiasmbut
InterestplusInspirationInspiredInterest,thatswhatEnthusiasmis.Bythepowerof
Enthusiasmthegreatthingsoflifearebroughttoexpressionandaccomplishment.
Enthusiasmisnotathing,whichsomepossessandotherslack.Allpersonshaveitpotentially,
butonlyafewareabletoexpressit.Themajorityisafraidtoletthemselvesfeelathing,and
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thentoletthefeelingexpressitselfinpowerfulactionlikethesteaminanengine.The
majorityofpersonsdonotknowhowtogetupthesteamofEnthusiasm.Theyfailtokeepthe
firesofInterestandDesirekindledundertheirmentalboiler,andtheconsequenceistheyfail
togetupthesteamofEnthusiasm.Enthusiasmmaybedeveloped,bycultivatinginterestand
loveofyourtask.Interest,confidence,anddesirearouseEnthusiasm,anditremainsforyouto
eitherconcentrateitsothatitseffectwillbedirectedstraittowardtheobject,personorthing
thatyouwishtomove,orelseallowittodissipateitselfintheairwithoutresult.Likesteam,
Enthusiasmmaybedissipatedorusedbyconcentrateddirectionitproducesresults;andby
foolishwasteanddissipationitfailstodoso.Themoreinterestyoutakeinathing,thegreater
doesyourconfidenceanddesiregrowandfromthesearisethesteamofEnthusiasm.So
rememberalwaysthatInterestisthemotherofEnthusiasm.
Theenthusiasticmannaturallytendstowardtheoptimisticframeofmind,andbydoingsohe
diffusesanatmosphereofconfident,cheerfulexpectationaroundhimwhichtendstoinspire
confidenceinothers,andwhichaidshiminhisendeavors.Hesurroundshimselfwithamental
auraofSuccesshevibratesSuccessandthoseintowhosepresencehecomes,unconsciously
takeonhisvibrations.Enthusiasmisverycontagious,andonefilledwiththerightquality,kind
anddegreeofitunconsciouslycommunicateshisinterest,earnestnessandexpectationsto
others.EnthusiasmplaysanimportantpartinthatwhichiscalledPersonalMagnetism.Itisa
live,warm,vitalmentalquality,anditquickensthepulseoftheoneusingit,andthosewhoare
affectedbyit.Itisdifferentfromthecoldbloodedindifferencethatonemeetswithsooftenin
business,andwhichcausesmanyasaletobelost,andmanyagoodthingtobeturneddown.
ThemanwholacksEnthusiasmisrobbedofmorethanhalfhisforceofPersonalInfluence.No
matterhowgoodhisargumentsmaybenomatterhowmeritorioushispropositionmaybe
unlesshepossessthewarmvitalqualityofEnthusiasm,hiseffortsarelargelywasted,andhis
resultimpaired.Thinkoverthesalesmanwhohaveapproachedyouandrememberhowsome
ofthemproducedthechillingeffectofadampcellaruponyou,whileotherscausedyoutosit
upandtakenoticeinspiteofyourselfbyreasonoftheirearnestinterestandenthusiasm.
Analyzetheimpressionproduceduponyoubythedifferentpeoplewithwhomyouhavecome
incontact,andthenseehowgreataninfluenceEnthusiasmexerts.Andthenrememberthe
effectitproducesuponyourself,whenyoufeelit.EnthusiasmisMentalSteamremember
that.
Afewdaysagotherewaserectedatablet,inoneofthegreatcollegesoftheland,asa
memorialtoaformerstudentinitshalls.Thisyoungmansavedthelivesofseventeenpeople
duringagreatstormonthelake.Heswamoutafterthem,onebyone,andbroughtthemallin
alive.Hefaintedawayfromexhaustion,andwhenherecoveredconsciousness,hisfirstwords
were,Boys,didIdomyBest?

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Thewordsofthisyoungmanexpressthegreatquestionthatshouldurgeeverytrueseeker
afterSuccesstosoliveandactthathemaybeabletoansweritintheaffirmative.Itisnotso
muchaquestionofdidIdosomuch,ordidIdoasmuchassomeoneelse?asitismatter
ofDIDIDOMYBEST?
Themanwhodoeshisbestisneverafailure.Heisalwaysasuccess,andifthebestshouldbe
butapoorprettything,stilltheworldwillplacethelaurelwreathofvictoryuponhisbrow
whenheaccomplishesit.Theonewhodoeshisbestisneveraquitter,orashirkerhe
staysrightonhisjobuntilhehasbestoweduponittheverybestthatthereisinhimtogiveat
thatparticulartime.Suchamancanneverbeafailure.
Themanwhodoeshisbestisneverheardaskingthepessimisticquestion,WhatstheUse?
Hedoesntcareawholelotaboutthatpartofithismindisfixedupontheideathatheison
hisjob,andisnotgoingtobesatisfiedwithanythinglessthanhisBest.Andwhenonereallyis
abletoanswerthegreatquestionwithanhonest,Yes,IdidmyBest,thenverily,hewillbe
abletoanswertheWhatstheUsequestionproperlyitisofusetohavebroughtoutthe
Bestworkinoneself,iffornootherreasonthanbecauseitisaManMakingprocessa
developeroftheSelf.
ThisinfernalWhatstheUsequestionseemstohavebeeninventedbysomepessimisticimp
ofdarknesstouseindiscouragingpeoplemakingdesperatestrugglesorleadingforlornhopes.
IthasbroughtdownmanyamanintotheMireofDespondencyandFailure.Chaseitoutofyou
mindwheneveritappears,andreplaceitwiththequestion,AmIdoingmyBest,knowing
thatanaffirmativeanswersettlestheotherquestionalso.AnythingisOfUseifitisinthe
rightspirit,inaworthycause,andbecauseonesownmanhooddemandsit.Yes,evenifone
goesdowntodeathinthedoingofitstillitisaSuccess.Listentothisstory,toldinarecent
magazinearticle:ItisastoryofasailoronthewreckofaGermankerosenesteamer,which
dashedagainsttherocksoftheNewfoundlandcoastintheearlypartof1901.Shehadtaken
fire,andhadbeenrunashoreonasubmergedreefaboutaneighthofamilefromthecoast.
Thecoastlineitselfwasawall,somefourhundredfeethigh.Whenmorningdawned,the
fishermanonshoresawthatherboatswereallgone,andallthecrewandofficershad
apparentlybeenlostallexceptthreemen.Twoofthesethreemenwerestandingonthe
bridgethethirdwasaloft,lashedtotherigging.Later,thewatcherssawatremendouswave
strikethevessel,sweepingawaythebridgeandthetwomenwhohadbeenstandingonit.
Severalhourslatertheysawthemanintheriggingunlashhimandbeathisarmsagainsthis
bodyvigorously,evidentlytorestorethecirculation,whichhadbeenalmoststoppedbythe
lashingandtheextremecold.Themanthentookoffhiscoat,wavedittothefishermenontop
ofthecliffandthenplungedintothesea.Thefirstthoughtwasthathehadgivenupthefight
andcommittedsuicidebutheasnotthatkindofaman.Hestruckoutforshore,andreaching
itmadethreeseparateattemptstosecureafootholdontherocksatthebottomofthecliff.
But,hefailedthreetimeswashesweptawaybythesurf,andfinally,seeingthefutilityofhis
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efforts,heswamawayagain,towardtheship.Asthenarratorwellsays:Atthatcrisisinthe
struggleninetyninemenoutofahundredwouldhavegivenandallowedthemselvestodrown;
butthismanwasnotaquitter.
Afterafiercebattlewiththewavesthemangainedtheship,andafteradesperatestruggle
managedtoboardher.Heclimbedagainintotheriggingandwavedhishandtothefishermen
highuponthecliff,whowereunabletohelphim.Helashedhimselffast,anduntildarkcould
beseensignalingthefishermenabove,toshowthemthathewasstillaliveandgame.When
thefollowingmorningbrokethefishermensawthathisheadhadfallentohisbreasthewas
motionlessfrozenduringthenight.Hewasdeadhisbravesoulhadgoneforthtomeetits
maker,andwhocandoubtthatwhenthatmanconfrontedhisMakerhiseyeswerelooking
firmlyandbravelytowardthePresence,andnotboweddowninshameorfear.Suchamanwas
indeedworthytofacehisMaker,unabashedandunashamed.Asthewriter,GeorgeKennan,
hassaidinwordsthatmakeonethrill:Thatmandiedasamaninadversecircumstancesought
todie,fightingtothelast.Youmaycallitfoolish,andsaythathemightbetterhaveendedhis
sufferingsbyallowinghimselftodrownwhenhefoundthathecouldnotmakealandingatthe
baseofthecliff;butdeepdowninyourheartsyoupaysecrethomagetohiscourage,his
endurance,andhisindomitablewill.Hewasdefeatedatlast,butsolongashehad
consciousnessneitherfirenorcoldnottempestcouldbreakdownhismanhood.
TheCaucasianshaveafavoriteproverbthatsays:Heroismisenduranceforonemoment
more.Andthatonemomentmoretellsthedifferencebetweenthequitterandthemanwho
hasdonehisBest.Nooneisdeaduntilhishearthasceasedbeatingandnoonehasfailed
solongasthereisonemorebitoffightinhim.Andthatonemomentmoreoftenisthe
momentinwhichthetideturnsthemomentwhentheenemyrelaxeshisholdanddropsback
beaten.

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ThePowerofDesire
WhatisDesire?Letussee!Webstertellsusthatitis:Thenaturallongingtopossessany
seeminggood;eagerwishtoobtainorenjoy,orinitsabnormalordegeneratesense:
excessiveormorbidlonging;lust;appetite.Desireisamuchabusedtermthepublicmind
haslargelyidentifieditwithitsabnormalordegeneratephase,justmentioned,ignoringits
originalandtruesense.Manyusethewordinthesenseofanunworthylongingorcraving,
insteadofinthetruesenseofaspiration,worthycravingandlonging,etc.TocallDesire
aspirationrendersitnonethelessDesire.Toapplytoitthetermlaudableaimand
ambitiondoesnottakeawayfromitischaracterofDesire.Thereisnosenseinendeavoringto
escapethefactthatDesireisthenaturalanduniversalimpulsetowardaction,betheactionor
goodorbad.WithoutDesiretheWilldoesnotspringintoaction,andnothingisaccomplished.
EventhehighestattainmentsandaimsoftheracearepossibleonlywhenthesteamofWillis
arousedbytheflameandheatofDesire.
Someoftheoccultteachingsarefilledwithinstructionstokilloutdesire,andthestudentis
warnedtobewareofiteveninitsmostinsidiousandsubtleforms,eventotheextentof
avoidingeventhedesiretobedesirelessevendesirenottodesire.Nowthisisallnonsense,
forifonewishes,orwants,orisinclined,orthinksbestto,orispleasedtoKillOut
DesireinanyofthesecasesheisbutmanifestingaDesirenottodesire,inspiteofhisuseof
othernames.Whatisthiswishingto;wantingto;feelinglike;inclination;beingpleasedto;
andalltherest,butjustplain,clear,unadulteratedDesiremasqueradingundersomeofthese
names.Toproceedtokilloutdesirewithoutdesiringtodosoisliketryingtoliftoneselfby
pullingonhisownbootstraps.Folly.Whatisreallymeantisthattheoccultistshouldproceedto
killoutthelowerdesiresthathefindswithinhisnature,andalsotokillouttheattachment
forthings.Regardingthislastwewouldsaythatalltrueoccultistknowthateventhebest
thingsarenotgoodenoughtoruleandmasteronenothingisgoodenoughforthesoulto
allowitselftobeundulyattachedtoitsothatthethingrulesthesoulinsteadoftheshould
masteringthething.Thatiswhattheteachingsmeanavoidanceofattachment.Andinthis
theoccultteachersareclearlyright.Desireisafrightfulmasterlikefireitsweepsawaythe
supportsofthesoul,leavingnothingbutsmolderingashes.But,alsolikeFireDesireisa
splendidservantandbyitsharnessedpowerweareabletogeneratethesteamoftheWilland
Activity,andtoaccomplishmuchintheworld.WithoutproperDesiretheworldwouldbe
withoutactivity.SodonotmakethemistakeofusingDesireanymorethanyouwouldrefuseto
usefirebutinbothcaseskeepthemasteryinyourownhands,andavoidallowingthecontrol
topassfromyoutoDesire.
Desireisthemotivatingforcethatrunstheworld;aslittleaswecaretoadmititinmanycases.
LookaroundyouandseetheeffectsofDesireineveryhumanact,goodorbad.Asawriterhas
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said:Everydeedthatwedo,goodorbad,ispromptedbyDesire.Wearecharitablebecause
weDesiretorelieveourinnerdistressatthesightofsuffering;orfromtheDesireofsympathy;
orfromtheDesiretoberespectedinthisworld,ortosecureacomfortableplaceinthenext.
OnemaniskindbecauseheDesirestobekindbecauseitgiveshimsatisfactiontobekind;
whileanothermaniscruelfrompreciselythesamekindofmotive.Onemandoeshisduty
becauseheDesirestodoitheobtainsahighersatisfactionfromdutywelldonethanhe
wouldfromtheneglectingofitinaccordancewithsomeweakerdesires.Thereligiousmanis
religiousbecausehisreligiousdesiresarestrongerthanhisirreligiousonesbecausehefindsa
highersatisfactioninreligionthaninthepursuitsoftheworldlyminded.Themoralmanis
moralbecausehismoraldesiresarestrongerthanhisimmoralonesheobtainsagreater
satisfactioninbeingmoralthaninbeingthecontrary.EverythingwedoispromptedbyDesire
insomeshapeorformhighorlow.MancannotbeDesirelessandactinanyway.Desireisthe
motivatingpowerbehindallactionsitisanaturallawoflife.Everythingfromtheatomtothe
monad;fromthemonadtotheinsect;fromtheinsecttoman;frommantoNature,actsand
doesthingsbyreasonofthepowerandforceofDesire,theAnimatingMotive.
Alltheaboveatthefirstglancewouldseemtomakeofmanameremachine,subjecttothe
powerofanystraydesirethatmighthappentocomeintohismind.Butthisisfarfrombeing
so.ManactsnotuponEVERYdesire,butupontheSTRONGESTDesire,ortheAverageofhis
StrongestDesires.ThisAverageofDesiresisthatwhichconstituteshisNatureorCharacter.And
hereiswheretheMasteryoftheIcomesin!Manneednotbeaslaveorcreatureofhis
DesiresifhewillasserthisMastery.Hemaycontrol,regulate,governandguidehisDesiresin
anydirectionsthathepleases.Nay,more,hemayevenCREATEDESIRESbyanactionofhisWill,
asweshallseepresently.Byaknowledgeofpsychologicallawshemayneutralizeunfavorable
Desires,andgrowanddevelopyes,practicallyCreateNewDesiresintheirplaceallbythe
powerofhisWill,aidedbythelightofhisReasonandJudgment.ManistheMasterofhisMind.
Yes,butsomeclosereasoningcriticmayobject;yes,thatistrueenough,buteveninthat
caseisnotDesiretherulingmotivemustnotoneDesirecreatethesenewDesiresbeforehe
candosoisnotDesirealwaysprecedenttoaction?Veryclosereasoningthis,goodfriends,
butalladvancedoccultistsknowthatthereisapointinwhichthePrincipleofDesireshades
andmergesintocompanionPrinciple,Will,andthataclosereasonerandmentalanalystmay
imagineamentalstateinwhichonemaybealmostsaidtomanifestaWILLtoWill,ratherthan
tomerelyDesiretoWill.Thisstatemustbeexperiencedbeforeitcanbeunderstoodwords
cannotexpressit.
WehavestatedthatitwasinthepowerofmantoCreateDesirenotonlytobeitsmaster
whencreated,butalsotoactuallyCreateitbybringingitintobeing.Andthestatementis
absolutelytrue,andisverifiedandprovenbythemostrecentexperimentsanddiscoveriesof
modernpsychology.InsteadofmanbeingacreatureofDesireandthisindeedheisinmany
caseshemaybecomeMasterofDesireandevenaCreatorofit.ByknowledgeandWillhe
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mayreversetheordinaryorderofthingsand,displacingtheintruderfromthethrone,hemay
seathimselfthereinhisrightfulplace,andthenbidthelateoccupantdohiswillandobeyhis
bidding.Butthebestwayforthenewoccupantofthethronetobringaboutareorganized
courtistodismisstheoldobjectionablecreaturesofhismindandcreatenewonesintheir
places.Andhereishowitmaybedone:Inthefirstplace,onemustthinkcarefullyoverthe
tasksthathewishestoaccomplish,then,usinghisjudgmentcarefully,judiciallyandimpartially
impersonallysofarasispossiblehemusttakementalstockofhimselfandseeinwhat
pointsheisdeficient,sofarasthesuccessfulaccomplishmentofthetaskisconcerned.Thenlet
himanalyzethetaskbeforehim,indetail,separatingthematterintoasmanycleardefined
divisionsaspossible,sothathemaybeabletoseetheThingasItIs,indetailaswellasinits
entirety.Thenlethimtakeasimilarinventoryofthethings,whichseemnecessaryofthe
accomplishmentofthetasknotthedetailsthatwillariseonlyastheworkprogresses,dayby
daybutthegeneralthings,whichmustbedoneinorderthatthetaskisbroughttoa
successfulconclusion.Thenhavingtakenstockofthetask,thenatureoftheundertaking,and
onesownqualificationsandshortcomingsthenBegintoCreateDesire,accordingtothe
followingplan:ThefirststepintheCreationofDesireisthatoftheformingofaclear,vital
MentalImageofthequalities,thingsanddetailsoftheundertaking,aswellasofthe
CompletedWhole.ByaMentalImagewemeanaclearcut,distinctmentalpictureinthe
Imaginationofthethingsjustnames.Now,donotturnawaywithanimpatientmotionatthe
mentionofthewordImagination.Thatisanotherwordthatyouhaveonlyamistakenideaof.
Imaginationmeansfarmorethanthemereidle,fancifuluseofthatpartofthemindthatis
believedbypeopletobeallthereistoit.Itisntall,byalongwayinfact,thefancifulpart
maybesaidtobemerelyashadowoftherealImaginativeeffort.Imaginationisarealthingit
isafacultyofthemindbywhichitcreatesamatrix,mold,orpatternofthings,whichthe
trainedWillandDesireafterward,materializesintoobjectivereality.Therehasbeennothing
createdbythehandsandmindofmanwhichdidnothaveitsfirstoriginintheImaginationof
someone.ImaginationisthefirststepinCreationwhetherofworldsortrifles.Themental
patternmustalwaysprecedethematerialform.AndsoitisintheCreationofDesire.Before
youcanCreateaDesireyoumusthaveaclearMentalImageofwhatyouneedtoDesire.
YouwillfindthatthistaskofcreatingaMentalImageisalittleharderthanyouhadexpectedat
thestart.Youwillfindithardtoformevenafaintmentalpictureofthatwhichyouneed.But
benotdiscouraged,andpersevere,forinthis,aseverythingelse.Practicemakesperfect.Each
timeyoutrytoformtheMentalImageitwillappearalittleclearerandmoredistinct,andthe
detailswillcomeintoalittlemoreprominence.Donottireyourselfatfirst,butlayasidethe
taskuntillaterintheday,ortomorrow.Butpracticeandpersevereandyouneed,justasclearly
asamemorypictureofsomethingyouhavealreadyseen.Weshallhavemoretosayonthis
subjectofMentalImageryandImaginationinsubsequentlessons.
Then,afterhavingacquiredtheclearMentalImageofthethingsyouwishtoDesire,andthus
attain,cultivatethefocusingoftheAttentionuponthesethings.Thewordattentionisderived
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fromtheLatinwordAttendere,meaningtostretchforth,theoriginalideabeingthatin
Attentionthemindwasstretchedforth,orextendedtowardtheobjectofattention,and
thisisthecorrectideaforthatisthewaythemindoperatesinthematter.Keeptheideas
beforeyourattentionasmuchaspossible,sothatthemindmaytakeafirmgraspuponthem,
andmakethemapartofitselfbydoingthisyoufirmlyimpresstheideasuponthewaxtablet
ofthemind.
Thushavingfixedtheideaclearlyinyourmind,bymeansoftheImaginationandAttention,
untilaswehavesaid,itbecomesafixturethere,begintocultivateanardentDESIRE,LONGING,
CRAVINGDEMANDforthematerializationofthethings.Demandthatyougrowthequalities
necessaryforthetaskdemandthatyourmentalpicturesmaterializeDemandthatthe
detailsbemanifestedaswellastheWhole,makingallowanceforthesomethingbetterwhich
willsurelyarisetotaketheplaceoftheoriginaldetails,asyouproceedtheInner
Consciousnesswillattendtothesethingsforyou.
ThenDesirefirmly,confident,andearnestly.Benothalfheartedinyourdemandsanddesires
claimanddemandtheWHOLETHING,andfeelconfidentthatitwillworkoutintomaterial
objectivityandreality.Thinkofit,dreamofit,andalwaysLONGforityoumustlearntowant
ittheworstwaylearntowantithardenough.Youcanattainandobtainmanythingsby
wantingthemhardenoughthetroubleiswithmostofusthatwedonotwantthingshard
enoughwemistakevaguecravingsandwishedforearnest,longing,demandingDesireand
Want.GettoDesireandDemandtheThingjustasyoudemandandDesireyourdailymeals.
Thatiswantingittheworstway.Thisismerelyahintsurelyyoucansupplytherest,ifyou
areinearnest,andwanttohardenough.

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TheLawofAttraction
ThereisinNatureagreatLawtheLawofAttractionbytheoperationsofwhichallthings
fromatomstomenareattractedtowardeachotherinthedegreeofthecommonaffinityof
commonuse.Thereverseofthislawwhichismerelyanothermanifestationofitspoweris
whatiscalledRepulsion,whichisbuttheotherpoleofAttraction,andbytheoperationsof
whichthingstendtorepeleachotherinthedegreethattheyareunlike,opposing,andofno
usetoeachother.TheLawofAttractionisUniversal,onalltheplanesoflife,fromthephysical
tothespiritual.Itsoperationsareuniformandconstant,andwemaytakethephenomenaof
oneplaneandtherebystudythephenomenaofanotherplane,forthesameruleappliesin
eachcasethesameLawisinoperationinthesameway.
Beginningwiththetinycorpuscles,electrons,orions,ofwhichtheatomsareformed,wefind
manifestedtheLawofAttractioncertainelectronsattracteachother,andrepelothersstill,
therebycausingtospringintoexistinggroups,combinationsandcoloniesofelectronswhich
beinginagreementandharmonymanifestandconstitutewhatarecalledatoms,whichuntil
recentlyweresupposedtobetheprimalformofmatter.Passingontheatomsthemselves,we
findmanydegreesofaffinityandattractionexistingbetweenthemwhichcausethemto
combineandformintomoleculesofwhichallmassesofmatterconsists.Forinstance,every
dropofwateriscomposedofcountlessmoleculesofwater.Andeachmoleculeiscomposedof
twoatomsofHydrogenandoneatomofOxygenthecombinationalwaysbeingthesamein
everymoleculeofwater.Now,whytheseatomscombineinjustthiswaythesameinvariable
groupingandproportion?Notbychance,surely,forthereisnosuchthinginNaturethereisa
naturallawbackofeveryphenomenon.AndinthiscaseitistheLawofAttractionmanifesting
inthecaseoftheseatoms.AnditissoinallchemicalcombinationsitiscalledChemical
Affinity.Sometimesanattachedatomwillcomeincontactwith,orinproximityto,another
atom,andthenbanggoestheexplosionofthemoleculeastheatomfliesawayfromits
partnersandintothearmsoftheotheratomforwhichithasagreateraffinity.Thereare
marriagesanddivorcesintheworldofatoms,youwillnotice.Andinthecasesofthe
molecules,itisfoundthatcertainmoleculesareattractedtoothersofthesamekind,under
whatiscalledCohesion,andthusmassesofmatterarecomposed.Apieceofgold,silver,tin,
glass,orotherformofmatteriscomposedofcountlessmoleculesheldtogethertightlyby
CohesionandthisCohesionismerelyanotherformoftheLawofAttractionthesamethat
drawsallthingstogether.And,underlyingtheLawofAttractionistobefoundouroldPrinciple
ofDesireandWill.YoumayshrugyourshouldersatthismentionofdesireandWillin
connectionwithelectrons,atoms,moleculesallformsofmatter,butjustwaitabitandsee
whattheleadingscientificauthoritieshavetosayonthesubject.

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Prof.Hakel,oneoftheworldsgreatestscientistsamaterialistwhowouldsneeratthe
teachingsofMentalScienceeventhisman,naturallyprejudicedagainstmentalisttheories,
findshimselfcompelledtosay:Theideaofchemicalaffinityconsistsinthefactthatthe
variouschemicalelementsperceivethequalitativedifferencesinotherelementsexperience
pleasureofrevulsionatcontactwiththem,andexecutespecificmovementsonthisground.
Healsopositivelyanddistinctlystatesthatintheatomstheremustbesomething
correspondingtoDesireforcontactandassociationwithotheratoms,andWilltoenablethe
atomtorespondtotheDesireLawisconstantthroughoutNature,fromatomtoman
physical,mentalandspiritual.
ButwhathasallthistodowiththeSecretofSuccessyoumayask?Simply,thattheLawof
AttractionisanimportantpartintheSecretofSuccess,inasmuchasittendstobringtousthe
things,personsandcircumstancesinaccordancewithourearnestDesire,Demand,andWill,
justasitbringstogethertheatomsandotherparticlesofmatter.Makeyourselfanatomof
LivingDesireandyouwillattracttoyourselftheperson,thingsandcircumstancesfittinginwith
theaccomplishmentofyourDesire.Youwillalsogetintorapportwiththosewhoareworking
alongthesamelinesofthought,andwillbeattractedthemandtheytoyou,andyouwillbe
broughtintorelationswithpersons,thingsandenvironmentslikelytoworkouttheproblemof
yourDesiresyouwillgetnexttotherightpersonsandthingsallbytheoperationofthis
greatnaturalLawofAttraction.NoNecromancyorMagicaboutitatallnothingsupernatural
ormysteriousjusttheoperationsofagreatNaturalLaw.
YoucandolittlebyyourselfinLife,beyoueversostrongandable.Lifeisacomplexthing,and
individualsareinterdependentuponeachotherforthedoingsofthings.OneIndividual,
segregatedfromalltheotherIndividuals,couldaccomplishlittleornothingalongthelinesof
outeractivity.Hemustformcombinations,arrangements,harmoniesandagreementswith
others,andinaccordancewithenvironmentsandthings,thatis,hemustcreateandusethe
properenvironmentsandthings,anddrawtohimselfotherswithwhomhemustform
combinations,inordertodothings.Andthesepersons,thingsandenvironmentscometohim
andhetothembyreasonofthisgreatLawofAttraction.Andthewayhesetsintooperation
thisgreatLawofAttractionisbytheoperationofhisDesire,andalongthelinesofMental
Imagery.Doyouseetheconnectionnow?Sobecarefultoform,cultivateandmanifestthe
rightDesiresholdtothemfirmly,stronglyandconstantly,andyouwillsetintooperationthis
greatLaw,whichformsanimportantpartoftheSecretofSuccess.
DesireForceisthemotivepowerleadingtheactivitiesofLife.Itisthebasicvitalpower,which
animatesthemindsoflivingthingsandurgesthemforthtoaction.WithoutstrongDesireno
oneaccomplishesanythingworthyofthenameandthegreaterthedesirethegreaterwillbe
theamountofenergygeneratedandmanifested,everythingelsebeingequal.Thatistosay,
thatgivenadozenmenofequalintellect,physicalhealthandmentalactivityequalin
everythingelseexceptDesire,inshort,theonesinwhomthegreatestDesireresidesandis
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manifestedwilloutstriptheothersinattainmentandofthesewinnerstheoneinwhoDesire
burnslikeanunquenchableflamewillbetheonewhowillMastertheothersbytheforceofhis
primitiveelementarypower.
NotonlydoesDesiregivetothemanthatinwardmotivewhichleadstotheenfoldmentofthe
powerwithinhimself,butitdoesmorethanthis;itcausestoradiatefromhimthefinerand
moresubtlementalandvitalforcesofhisnature,which,flowingforthinalldirectionslikethe
magneticwavesfromthemagnet,ortheelectricwavesfromthedynamo,influencingallwho
comewithinthefieldofforce.DesireForceisareal,active,effectiveforceofNature,and
servestoattract,drawandbringtoacenterthatwhichisinlinewiththenatureoftheDesire.
ThemuchtalkedofLawofAttraction,ofwhichsomuchisheardinMentalScienceandtheNew
Thought,dependslargelyupontheforceandpowerofDesire.DesireForceisatthecenterof
theLawofAttraction.ThereisatendencyinNaturetoattractanddrawtothecenterofa
Desirethethings,whichareneededtofulfillthatDesire.Onesownwillcometohimby
reasonofhisnaturalforce,whichliesbehindandunderneaththeentirephenomenaofMental
Influence.Thisbeingso,doesitnotbecomeatonceapparentwhyonewhowishesto
accomplishanythingshouldbesuretocreateastrongDesireforit,andatthesametimebe
suretoacquiretheartofVisualizationsoastoformaclearMentalPictureofthethingDesired
aclearmoldinwhichthematerializedrealitymaymanifest?
Haveyouevercomeincontactwithanyofthegreatmenofmodernbusinesslife?Ifyouhave
seenthesepeopleinaction,youwillhavebecomeconsciousofasubtle,mysterioussomething
aboutthemasomethingthatyoucouldactuallyfeelasomethingthatseemedtodrawyou
tofitintotheirschemes,planes,anddesiresalmostbyanirresistibleforce.Thesepeopleare
allpeopleofthestrongestkindofDesiretheirDesireForcemanifestsstronglyandaffects
thosewithwhomtheycomeincontact.Notonlythis,buttheirDesireForceflowsfromthemin
greatwaves,whichoccultistsinformussoonmanifestsacircular,orwhirlpoollikemotion,
swingaroundandaroundthecenteroftheDesirethesemenbecomeactualcyclonesof
Desireintowhichnearlyeverythingthatcomeswithinitssweepisaffectedandsweptintothe
vortex.Havewenotevidencesofthisinthecasesofallthegreatleadersofmencanwenot
seetheoperationofthatmightylawofattractionwhichbringstothemtheirown?Weareapt
tocallthisWillPower,andsoitisinaway,backandundertheWillinsuchcasesistobefound
theardent,burningDesirethatisthemotiveforceoftheattractivepower.
ThisDesireForceisaprimitive,elementalthing.Itisfoundintheanimalkingdom,andamong
thelowerracesofmen,perhapsmoreclearlythanamongthehighertypesofmen,butonly
becauseinsuchinstancesitisseenstrippedofthecovering,sheaths,disguisesandmasksthat
surroundthemorecivilizedformsandplanesoflife.Butrememberthiswell,thesameprinciple
ismanifestedunderandbeneaththepolishedveneerofcivilizedlifetheDesireForceofthe
culturedleaderofmenisaselementalasthatanimatingthefierceandshaggycavemanorthe
wildBerserkerwho,nakedandhalfmad,rusheduponoverwhelminghordesofhisenemy,
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brushingthemasidelikefliesthatis,ifyouwillbutlookbeneaththepolishedsurface.Inthe
oldwilddaysDesiremanifesteditsforceonthephysicalplanenowitmanifestsontheMental
Planethatistheonlydifference,theForceisthesameinbothcases.
Whilewewrite,therehasjustbeenproducedonstageanewplaythatillustratesthisprinciple.
Theheroine,thedaughterofanoldNewYorkfamilyofhighsocialstandingandwealth,hasa
dreamofherlifeinaformerincarnation,inwhichsheseesherselftornfromthearmsofher
cavedwellerfatherbythemightyarmsofafiercesavagechief,whosedesireismanifested
throughthephysical.Sheawakensfromherdream,andtoherhorrorsoondiscoverstheface
ofherdreamcaptoronamanwhocomesintoherfatherslifeinNewYork.Thismancomes
fromtheWest,forceful,resourcefulanddesirous,beatingdownallbeforehiminthegameof
finance.Asofold,heplaceshisfootnotontheneckofhisenemiesbutonthementalplane,
thistime,insteadofthephysical.ThesameoldDesireforpowerisstrongwithinhimthe
sameoldmasterfulnessmanifestsitself.Thismansays:Ihaveneverquit;Ihaveneverbeen
afraid.ThesameoldDesirethenflamedupinthesavagenowmanifestsintheMasterofWall
Street,andbetweentheforceofitsAttractionandthecoupledandalliedforceofhisWill,he
repeatstheperformancesofhispreviousincarnationbutontheplaneofmentalforcesand
achievementthistimemind,notmuscle,beingtheinstrumentthroughwhichtheDesire
manifests.
WegivetheaboveexamplemerelyasanillustrationofthefactthatDesireisthemotivating
forcethatmovestheWillintoaction,andwhichcausethevariedactivityoflife,menand
things.DesireForceisarealpowerinlife,andinfluencesnotonlytracts,influencesand
compelsotherpersonsandthingstoswingintowardthecenteroftheDesiresendingforththe
currents.IntheSecretofSuccess,Desireplaysaprominentpart.WithoutaDesireforSuccess,
thereisnoSuccess,none.TheLawofAttractionissetintomotionbyDesire.Themajorityof
theprinciplesadvancedinthisbookhavebeeninthenatureofPositiveinjunctionsthatis,
youhavebeenurgedtodocertainthingsratherthantonotdotheoppositeorcontrary.But
herewecometoaplaceinwhichtheadvicemustbegivenalongthenegativelineswemust
urgeyounottodoacertainthing.WealludetothatgreatpoisonofthemindandWillknown
asFear.Wedonotalludetophysicalfearimportantthoughphysicalcouragemaybe,andas
regrettableasphysicalcowardicemaybeconsidered,stillitisnotapartofthepurposeofthis
booktopreachagainstthelatterandadviseacultivationoftheformerqualityyouwillfind
muchofthatelsewhere.Ourpurposehereistocombatthatsubtle,insidiousenemyoftrue
SelfExpressionwhichappearsintheshapeandguiseofmentalfear,forebodingswhichmaybe
consideredasNegativeThoughtjustastheotherprinciplesmentionedinthisworkmaybe
consideredasPositiveThought.
Fearthoughtsisthatconditionofthemindinwhicheverythingisseenthroughblueglassesin
whicheverythingseemstobringasenseofthefutilityofendeavortheICantprincipleof
mentality,ascontrastedwiththeICanandIWillmentalattitude.Itisthenoxiousweedin
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thementalgarden,whichtendstokillthevaluableplantstobefoundtherein.Itistheflyinthe
ointmentthespiderinthecupoftheWineofLife.Sofarasweknowthefirstpersontouse
thewordFearThoughtwhichhasnowpassedintocommonusewasHoraceFletcher,the
wellknownwriter,whocoinedittosupplanttheuseofthewordWorryinacertainsense.He
hadpointedoutthatAngerandWorrywerethetwogreathindrancestoawellbalanced,
advancedandprogressivementality,butmanymisunderstoodhimandurgedthattoabolish
Worrymeanttoceasetakinganyconsiderationofthemorrowalackofcommonprudence
andforethought.AndsoFletchercoinedthewordFearThoughttoexpressaphaseofhis
ideaofForethoughtwithoutWorry,andheentitledhissecondbookonthesubject,
Happiness,asfoundinForethoughtminusFearThought,averyhappyexpressionofavery
happyidea.FletcheralsowasthefirsttoadvancetheideathatFearwasnotathinginitself,
butmerelyanexpressionofFearThoughtamanifestationofthestateofmindknownas
FearThought.Heandotherswhohavewrittenonthesubject,havetaughtthatFearmightbe
abolishedbythepracticeofabolishingFearThoughtfromthemindbydrivingitoutofthe
mentalchamberandthebestteachershavetaughtthatthebestwaytodriveoutFear(orany
otherundesirablementalstate)wasbycultivatingthethoughtoftheoppositequalityofmind
bycompellingthemindtodwelluponthementalpictureofthedesirablequality,andbythe
appropriateautosuggestions.Theillustrationhasoftenbeenstatedthatthewaytodrive
darknessfromaroomisnottoshovelitout,buttothrowopentheshuttersandletthesunlight
streamin,andthatisthebestwaytoneutralizeFearThought.
Thementalprocesshasaptlybeenspokenofasvibrations,afigurethathasafullwarrantin
modernscience.Then,byraisingthevibrationtothePositivepitch,thenegativevibrationsmay
becounteracted.Bycultivatingthequalitiesrecommendedintheotherlessonsofthisbook.
FearThoughtmaybeneutralized.ThepoisonofFearThoughtisinsidiousandsubtle,butit
slowlycreepsthroughtheveinsuntilitparalyzesallusefuleffortsandaction,untiltheheart
andbrainareaffectedandfinditdifficulttothrowitoff.FearThoughtisatthebottomofthe
majorityoffailuresandgoingdowninlife.Aslongasamankeepshisnerveandconfidencein
himself,heisabletorisetohisfeetaftereachstumble,andfacetheenemyresolutelybutlet
himfeeltheeffectsofFearThoughttosuchanextentthathecannotthrowitoffandhewill
failtoriseandwillperishmiserable.ThereisnothingtofearexceptFear,haswellbeensaid.
WehavespokenelsewhereabouttheLawofAttraction,whichoperatesinthedirectionof
attractingtous,thatwhichweDesire.Butthereisareversesidetothisitisapoorrulethat
willnotworkbothways.FearwillsetintomotiontheLawofAttractionjustaswellasDesire.
JustasDesiredrawstoonethethingshepicturesinhismindastheDesiredThing,sowillFear
drawtohimthethingpicturedinhismindastheThingFeared.ThethingthatIfearedhath
befallenme.Andthereasonisverysimple,andtheapparentcontradictionvanisheswhenwe
examinethematter.WhatisthepatternuponwhichtheLawofAttractionbuildsunderthe
forceofDesire?TheMentalImage,ofcourse.AndsoitisinthecaseofFeartheperson
carriesabouttheMentalImageorhauntingpictureoftheFearedThing,andtheLawof
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AttractionbringsittohimjustasitbringstheDesiredThing.Didyoueverstoptothingthat
FearwasthenegativepoleofDesire?Thesamelawsworkinbothcases.
SoavoidFearThoughtasyouwouldthepoisonousdraughtthatyouknowwouldcauseyour
bloodtobecomeblackandthick,andyourbreathinglaboredanddifficult.Itisavilething,and
youshouldnotrestcontentuntilyouhaveexpelleditfromyourmentalsystem.Youcangetrid
ofitbyDesireandWill,coupledwiththeholdingoftheMentalImageofFearlessness.Driveit
upbycultivatingitsopposite.Changeyourpolarity.Raiseyourmentalvibrations.Someonehas
said,ThereisnoDevilbutFearthensendthatDevilbacktotheplacewhereheproperly
belongs,forifyouentertainhimhospitablyhewillmakeyourheavenahellinorderthathe
mayfeelathome.UsethementalBigStickonhim.

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PersonalMagnetism
WehearmuchaboutPersonalMagnetismthesedays.Itisapeculiarqualityofthementalbeing
oftheindividualthatservestobringotherpersonsintoamoodorstateofmindsympathetic
withthatofthemagneticperson.Somemenhavethisqualitydevelopedtoawonderfulextent,
andareabletobringaboutaharmoniousagreementonthepartofotherpersonsinashort
time,whileothersarealmostentirelydeficientinthisrespectandtheirverypresencetendsto
arouseantagonisminthemindsofothers.ThemajorityofpeopleaccepttheideaofPersonal
Magnetismwithoutquestion,butfewwillagreeuponanytheoryattemptingtoaccountforit.
Thosewhohavestudiedthemattercarefullyknowthatthewholethingdependsuponthe
mentalstatesoftheindividual,anduponhisabilitytocauseotherstocatchhismental
vibrations.ThiscatchingiscausedbywhatisknownasMentalInduction.Induction,you
know,isthatpropertyorquality,orprocessbywhichonebodyhavingelectricalormagnetic
polarityproducesitinanotherwithoutdirectcontact.AndMentalInductionisamanifestation
ofsimilarphenomenaonthementalplane.Peoplesmentalstatesarecatchingor
contagious,andifoneinfusesenoughlifeandenthusiasmintohismentalstatestheywill
affectthemindsofpersonswithwhomtheycomeincontact.Wehaveexplainedthismatterin
detailinthelittlebookofthisseriesentitled,MentalInfluence.
ItseemstousthattheprimefactorinsuccessfulMentalInduction,ormanifestationsof
PersonalMagnetism,isEnthusiasm.Inanotherlessoninthisbookwehavetoldyouabout
Enthusiasm,andwhenyouthinkofPersonalMagnetism,itwillbewellforyoutoreadwhatwe
havesaidaboutEnthusiasmalso.EnthusiasmgivesEarnestnesstotheperson,andthereisno
mentalstatesoeffectiveasEarnestness.Earnestnessmakesitselffeltstrongly,andwilloften
makeapersongiveyouattentioninspiteofhimself.WalterD.Moody,awellknownwriteron
thesubjectofSalesmanship,says,truthfully,Itwillbefoundthatallmenpossessedof
personalmagnetismareverymuchinearnest.Theirintenseearnestnessismagnetic.And
nearlyeverystudentofthesubjecthasnotedthisfact.Buttheearnestnessmustbemorethat
afirm,confident,honestbeliefinthethingbeingpresentedtotehattentionoftheother
person.Itmustbealive,contagiousearnestness,whichcanbestbedescribedasEnthusiasm
EnthusiasticEarnestness,thatstheterm.
ThisEnthusiasticEarnestnesshasmuchemotioninititappealstotheEmotionalsideof
humannature,ratherthattotheThinkingReasoningside.Andyetanargumentbasedupon
reasonandconducteduponlogicalprinciples,maybepresentedwithEnthusiasticEarnestness
withmuchgreatereffectthaniftheappealtothereasonisconductedinacold,unemotional
way.Theaveragepersonissoconstitutedmentallythathethawsoutunderamanifestationof
live,enthusiasticfeeling,underthetermofPersonalMagnetism.Thefeelingsideof

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mentalityisasimportantasthethinkingsideanditisfarmorecommonanduniversal,for
themajorityofpeoplereallythinkverylittle,whileeveryonefeels.
Awriterintheearlyseventiesofthelastcenturysaid:Allofusemitasphere,aura,orhalo,
impregnatedwiththeveryessenceofourselves;sensitiveknowsit;sodoourdogsandother
pets;sodoesahungrylionortiger;aye,evenflies,snakesandtheinsects,asweknowtoour
cost.Someofusaremagneticothersnot.Someofusarewarm,attractive,loveinspiringand
friendshipmaking,whileothersarecold,intellectual,thoughtful,reasoning,butnotmagnetic.
Letalearnedmanofthelattertypeaddressanaudienceanditwillsoontireofhisintellectual
discourse,andwillmanifestsymptomsofdrowsiness.Hetalksatthem,butnotintothemhe
makesthemthink,notfeel,whichismosttiresometothemajorityofpersons,andfew
speakerssucceedwhoattempttomerelymakepeoplethinktheywanttobemadetofeel.
Peoplewillpayliberallytobemadetofeelorlaugh,whiletheywillbegrudgeadimefor
instructionortalkthatwillmakethemthink.Pittedagainstalearnedmanofthetype
mentionedabove,lettherebeahalfeducated,butveryloving,ripeandmellowman,withbut
ninetenthsofthelogicanderuditionofthefirstman,yetsuchamancarriesalonghiscrowd
withperfectease,andeverybodyiswideawake,treasuringupeverygoodthingthatfallsfrom
hislips.Thereasonsarepalpableandplain.Itisheartagainsthead;soulagainstlogic;andis
boundtowineverytime.
Ifyouwillnoticethemanandwomanwhoareconsideredthemostmagnetic,youwillfind
thatalmostinvariablytheyarepeoplewhohavewhatiscalledsoulaboutthemthatis,they
manifestandinducefeeling,oremotion.Theymanifesttraitsofcharacterandnaturesimilar
tothatmanifestedbyactorsandactresses.Theythrowoutapartofthemselves,whichseems
toaffectthosecomingincontactwiththem.Noticeanonmagneticactor,andyouwillseethat
althoughhemaybeletterperfectinhispart,andmayhaveacquiredthepropermannerisms,
gesturesandothertechnicalpartsofhisart,stillhelacksacertainsomething,andthat
somethingmaybeseentobetheabilitytocommunicatefeeling.Now,thosewhoareinthe
secretknowfullwellthatmanyofthesuccessfulactors,whoseemtoburnwithpassion,feeling
andemotiononthestage,reallyfeelbutlittleofthesequalitieswhileactingtheyarelike
phonographs,givingoffsoundsthathavebeenregisteredinthem.Butifyouwillinvestigate
stillfurther,youwillseethatinstudyingtheirpartsandpracticingthesameprivately,these
peopleinducedastimulatedemotion,suchasthepartcalledfor,andhelditfirmlyintheir
minds,accompanyingitwiththeappropriategestures,etc.,untilitbecamefirmlysetthere
impresseduponthetabletsofthementalityastherecordofaphonographislikewise
impresseduponthewax.Then,whenafterwardtheyplayedthepart,theoutwardsemblance
ofthefeelings,withthemotions,gestures,emphasis,etc.,reproduceditselfandimpressedthe
audience.Itissaidthatifanactorallowshimselftobeactuallycarriedawaywithhispartso
thathefeelsthesamekeenly,theresultwillnotbeadvantageous,forheisovercomewiththe
feelinganditseffectisuponhimselfratherthanuponhisaudience.Thebestresultissaidtobe

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obtainedwhenonehasfirstexperiencedandfelttheemotion,andthenafterwardreproduces
itinthemannerabovestated,withoutallowingittocontrolhim.
Wementiontheabovefactsfortheuseofthosewhodonotnaturallypossessthefacultyor
qualityofPersonalmagnetismtotherequireddegree.Suchpeoplewillfindittotheir
advantagetoendeavortoworkupthedesiredfeelingofEnthusiasticEarnestness,inprivate,
fixingthementalimpressionbyfrequentprivaterehearsalsandpractice,untilitbecomes
registeredintheirhabitmind,tobereproduceduponoccasionswhenneeded.Beagood
actorthatistheadviceinsuchcases;andrememberthis,thatfrequentpracticeandprivate
rehearsalmakesthegoodactor.Itisafarbetterthingtobeabletoinducefeelingand
enthusiasminthisway,ratherthanbelackingofit,ontheonehand;ortobeanemotional
inebriateontheotherhand.OnemayberationallyEnthusiasticallyEarnest,withoutbeing
filledfullofslushygushormaudlinemotionalism.Wethinkthatthecarefulstudentwillsee
justwhatismeanthere,andwillnotmisunderstandus.Andremember,thatthroughthis
repeatedactingthedesiredqualitywilloftenbecomerealandnatural.

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AttractivePersonality
WehaveexplainedinourlessononIndividualitythatwhatisknown,asthePersonalitywas
nottherealIoftheIndividual,butthatinsteaditformedtheMepartofoneselfthe
outwardappearanceoftheIndividual.Aswehavetoldyou,thewordPersonalityreallymeans
themaskaspectoftheIndividual,theoutwardappearanceofthepartinthegreatdramaof
lifethatheisplaying.Andjustastheactormaychangehismaskandcostume,somaythe
Individualchange,alterandreplacehisPersonalitybyotherfeaturesfounddesirable.
Butnevertheless,whilethePersonalityisnottherealI,itplaysanimportantpartinthe
dramaoflife,particularlyastheaudiencepaysmoreattentiontothePersonality,asarule,
thanitdoestotherealIndividualbehindthemask.AndsoitisproperthateveryIndividual
shouldcultivateandacquireaPersonalitythatwillproveattractivetohisaudience,andrender
himacceptabletothem.No,wearenotpreachingdeceptionweregardIndividualityasthe
RealSelf,andbelievethatoneshouldbuildhimselfuptohishighestandbestaccordingtothe
lawsofIndividualUnfoldmentbut,nevertheless,solongasonemustwearaPersonality
abouthimashegoesthroughlife,webelievethatitisnotonlytohisadvantage,butisalsohis
dutytomakethatPersonalityaspleasingandattractiveasheisableto.Youknowthatno
matterhowgood,intelligentandhighmindedamanmaybe,ifhewearsthemaskofan
unattractiveandunpleasantPersonalityheisplacedatadisadvantage,anddrivesawaypeople
whomhemightbenefitandwhowouldbegladtolovehimiftheycouldseebehindhis
unattractivemask.
Norarewespeakingofonespersonalphysicalappearancewhenwespeakofunattractiveand
attractivemasks.Whileonesphysicalappearancegoesagoodwayinsomecases,thereisa
charmofPersonalitythatfartranscendsthatfleetingappearance.Therearemanypersons
havingbeautifulfacesandformswhosepersonalityisfarfromcharming,andwhorepelrather
thanattract.Andthereareotherswhosefacesarehomelyandwhoseformsarefarfrom
shapely,whohave,nevertheless,thatwinningwayaboutthemthatattractsotherstothem.
Therearepeoplewhomwearealwaysgladtosee,andwhosecharmofmannermakesus
forgetthattheyarenotbeautiful,infact,eventheirhomelyfacesseemtobecometransfigured
whenweareintheirpresence.ThatiswhatwemeantbyPersonality,inthesamewayinwhich
wearenowusingit.ItbearsaverycloserelationshiptoPersonalMagnetism,ofwhichwe
spokeofinourprecedinglesson.
OneofthefirstthingsthatshouldbecultivatedbythosewishingtodeveloptheCharmof
PersonalityisamentalatmosphereofCheerfulness.Thereisnothingsoinvigoratingas
presenceofacheerfulpersonnothingsodispiritingasoneofthoseHumanWetBlanketsthat
castachillovereveryoneandeverythingwithwhomtheycomeincontact.Thinkofyour
acquaintancesandyouwillfindthatyouwillnaturallyplacethemintwoclassestheCheerful
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onesandtheGloomyones.SunnyJimisalwayspreferredtoGloomyGustheoneyouwill
welcome,andtheotheryouwillflyfrom.TheJapaneseunderstandthislawofPersonality,and
oneofthefirstthingsthattheyteachtheirchildrenistopreserveacheerful,sunnyexterior,no
matteriftheirheartsarebreaking.Withthemitisconsideredoneofthemostflagrantoffenses
againstgoodformtocarrytheirsorrows,griefandpainintothepresenceofothers.They
reservethatsideoftheirlifefortheprivacyoftheirownchambertotheoutsideworldthey
presentalwaysahappy,sunnysmile.Andinthistheyarewise,foranumberofreasons(1)that
theymayinduceamorebuoyantandpositivestateofmindinthemselves;(2)thattheymay
attractcheerfulpersonsandthingstothembytheLawofAttraction;and(3)thattheymay
presentanattractivePersonalitytoothers,andtherebybewelcomeandcongenialassociates
andparticipantsintheworkoflife.ThereislittlewelcomeorhelpfortheGloomyGustribein
everydaybusinesslifetheyareavoidedasapestilenceeveryonehastroublesenoughofhis
ownwithoutthoseofotherpeopleaddedthereto.
Remembertheoldlines:
Laughandtheworldlaughswithyou;
Weepandyouweepalone.
Forthissadoldearthisinneedofmirth,
Andhastroublesenoughofitsown
SocultivatetheSmilethatWontComeOff.ItisavaluableassetofPersonality.Notthesilly,
idioticgrin,buttheSmilethatmeanssomethingtheRealThing.Andsuchasmilecomesfrom
within,andismorethatskindeep.IfyouwantaVerbalPatternuponwhichtomodelthe
mentalstatethatwillproducethisoutwardappearanceofPersonality,hereitis:BRIGHT,
CHEERFUL,ANDHAPPY.FRAMEITANDHANGitinaprominentplaceinyourMentalArt
Gallery.CommitittomemoryandVisualizeit,sothatyoumaybeabletoseeitbeforeyoulike
anilluminatedelectricsignBRIGHT,CHEERFULANDHAPPYthenendeavortomaterialize
theideaintorealitywithinyourmind.Thinkitoutactitoutanditwillbecomerealtoyou.
ThenwillyouhaveSomethingWorthwhileintheshapeofPersonality?Thismayseemsimple
andchildishtoyoubutifyouwillworkitoutintoactuality,itwillbeworththousandsof
dollarstoyou,nomatterwhatwalkoflifeyoumaybein.
AnothervaluablebitofPersonalityisthatofSelfRespect.IfyouhaverealSelfRespectitwill
manifestitselfinyouroutwarddemeanorandappearance.Ifyoudonthaveit,youhadbetter
startinandcultivatetheappearanceofSelfRespect,andthenRememberthatyouareaMAN,
oraWOMAN,asthecasemaybe,andnotapoor,crawlingWormontheDustofaHumanDoor
Mat.Facetheworldfirmlyandfearlessly,keepingyoureyeswelltothefront.HOLDUPYOUR
HEAD!Thereisnothinglikeastiffbackboneandaraisedheadformeetingtheworld.Theman
withbentheadseemstoapologizeforlivingandbeingontheearthandtheworldisaptto
takesuchattheirownvaluation.Anerectheadenablesonetowalkpastthedragonsatthe
doorofSuccess.Awritergivesthefollowinggoodadviceonthissubject:Holdyourearlobes
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directlyoveryourshoulders,sothataplumblinehungfromtheearsdescribesthelineofyour
body.Besurealsonottocarrytheheadeithertotherightorleft,butvertical.Manymenmake
themistake,especiallywhilewaitingforacustomertofinishsomeimportantpieceofbusiness,
ofleaningtheheadtotherightorleft.Thisindicatesweakness.Astudyofmendisclosesthe
factthatthestrongmennevertiltthehead.Theirheadssitperfectlystraightonstrongnecks.
Theirshoulders,heldeasily,yetfirmly,inposition,areinspiringintheirstrengthindicating
poise.Everylineofthebody,inotherwords,denotesthethoughtofthebearer.Thevalueof
thisadviceliesnotonlyinthefactthatitgivestoyoutheappearanceofSelfRespect(no
triflingmatter,bytheway),butalsothatittendstocultivateacorrespondingmentalstate
withinyou.ForjustasThoughttakesforminAction,sodoActionsdevelopmentalstatesit
isarulethatworksbothways.SothinkSelfRespectandactSelfRespect.LettheIAMwithin
youmanifestitself.DontcrawldontcringedontgrovelbutdobeaRealHumanBeing.
AnotherbitofPersonalityworthcultivatingistheArtofTakinganInterestinOthers.Many
peoplegothroughtheworldsowrappedupintheirownaffairsthattheyconveythe
impressionofbeingapartandalooffromotherswithwhomtheycomeincontact.This
mentalstatemanifestsinamostunpleasantformofPersonality.Suchpeoplearenotonly
regardedascoldandlackingheartandsoul,buttheyalsogiveotherstheimpressionof
selfishnessandhardness,andthepublicisapttoletsuchapersonalonetoleavehimtohis
ownselfishmoodsandmentalstates.Suchaoneneverbecomespopularneverbecomesa
goodmixeramongmen.TakinganInterestinOthersisanartthatwellrepaysthestudentof
Successtocultivateit.Ofcourseonemustalwayskeepthemainchancebeforehimandnot
allowhisownintereststosufferbyreasonofhisinterestinothersthatgoeswithoutsaying,
forunreasonablealtruismisjustasonesidedasundueselfishness.Butthereisamiddlecourse.
Youwillfindsomethingofinterestineverypersonwithwhomyoucomeincontact,andifyou
willbutturnyourattentiontothatinterestitwillmanifestitselfinsuchawaythattheperson
willbeconsciousofit,willappreciateit,andwillbegladtorespondbytakinganinterestinyou.
Thisisnotdeceit,ortimeserving,orflatteryitistheLawofCompensationworkingonthe
mentalplaneyougetwhatyougive.Ifyouwillstopandthinkamomentyouwillfindthatthe
peoplewhosePersonalityseemsthemostattractivetoyouarethepeoplewhoseemtoTake
anInterestinyourownpersonality.
ThisTakinganInterestinOthersmanifestsitselfinmanyways,oneofwhichisinmakingyoua
GoodListener.Now,wedonotmeanthatyoushouldallowyourselftobemadeadumping
groundforallthetalkofallthepeoplewithwhomyoucomeincontactifyoudothisyouwill
havetimefornothingelse.Youmustuseordinaryjudgmentandtactinregulatingthetimeyou
givetoothers,dependinguponthepersonandtheparticularcircumstancesofthecase.What
wedomeanisthatwhileyourelisteningyoushouldListenWell.Thereisnosubtler
complimentthatonepersoncanpaytoanotherthanListeningWelltohimorher.ToListen
WellistoListenwithInterest.Andthatissomethingthatcannotbeverywelltaughtinabook.
Perhapsthebestwaytoexpresstheideaistosay,ListenasyouWouldbeListenedunto.The
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GoldenRulemaybeappliedtomanythingsandideas,withbenefitandgoodresults.Theman
wholistenswelliswellthoughtofbythosetowhomhelistens.Inthisconnectionweare
alwaysremindedoftheoldstoryofCarlyle,who,aseveryoneknows,wasreputedtobea
crusty,crabbyoldchap,pronetosarcasticremarksandbrusquetreatmentofthosewithwhom
heengagedinconversation.ThetalegoesthatonedayamancalleduponCarlyleandthe
manunderstoodtheArtofListeningWell.HesoturnedtheconversationsastogetCarlyle
startedonasubjectdeartohisheartandthenhekeptquietandListenedWell.Carlyletalked
astraightstreakforseveralhours,andgrewquiteenthusiasticoverhistopic.Whenatlast
thevisitorarosetodepart,hewasforcedtoactuallytearhimselfawayfromCarlyle,who,
followinghimtothedoor,manifestedunusualenthusiasmandgoodspirits,andbiddinghim
goodbye,saidwarmly:Comeagain,moncomeagainandoftenyehaveawonderfully
brightmind,andIveenjoyedyourconversationverymuchindeedyeareamostdelightful
conversationalist.
Becarefulnottoborepeoplewithyourpersonalexperiencesbetterforgetyourpersonalself
intalkingtoothers,exceptwhenitisrighttothepointtobringyourselfin.Peopledonotwant
tohearwhatawonderfulfellowyouaretheywanttotellyouwhatwonderfulpeoplethey
are,whichisverymuchmorepleasanttothem.Dontretailyourwoes,norreciteyourmany
pointsofexcellence.Donttellwhatawonderfulbabyyouhavetheotherpeoplehavebabies
oftheirowntothinkabout.Youmustendeavortotalkaboutthingsofinteresttotheother
person,ifhewantstodothetalkinghimself.ForgetyourselfandTakeandInterestintheOther
Person.
Someofthebestretailmerchantsimpressupontheirsalespeopletheadvantageofcultivating
thementalattitudeandpersonalitythatyouwillgivethecustomertheimpressionthatyouare
onhissideofthecounterthatis,thatyouaretakingapersonalinterestinhisbeingwell
served,suited,welltreatedandsatisfied.Thesalesmanwhoisabletocreatethatimpressionis
welladvancedontheroadtosuccessinhisparticularline.Thisisadifficultthingtodescribe,
butalittleobservationandthoughtandpracticealongthelineslaiddowninthepreceding
lessonswilldomuchforyouinthisdirection.Arecentwritertruthfullysaysonthissubject:
Suppose,forinstance,youareintradeoraprofession,andwishtoincreaseyourbusiness.It
willnotdo,whenyousellgoodsorservices,tomakethemateramerelyperfunctory
transaction,takingthecustomersmoney,givinghimgoodvalueandlettinghimgoaway
feelingthatyouhavenointerestinthematterbeyondgivinghimafairdealandprofiting
thereby.Unlesshefeelsthatyouhaveapersonalinterestinhimandhisneeds,andthatyou
arehonestlydesiroustoincreasehiswelfare,youhavemadeafailureandarelosingground.
Whenyoucanmakeeverycustomerfeelthatyouarereallytryingtoadvancehisinterestsas
wellasyouown,yourbusinesswillgrow.Itisnotnecessarytogivepremiums,orheavier
weights,orbettervaluesthanothersgivetoaccomplishthis;itisdonebyputtinglifeand
interestintoeverytransaction,howeversmall.Thiswriterhasstatedtheideaclearly,forcibly
andtruthfully,andyouwilldowelltoheedhisadviceandtoputitintoactualpractice.
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AnotherimportantpointinPersonalityisSelfControl,particularlyinthematterofKeepingyour
Temper.Angerisamarkofweakness,notofstrength.Themanwholoseshistemper
immediatelyplaceshimselfatadisadvantage.Remembertheoldsaying:Thosewhomthe
godswoulddestroy,theyfirstmakeangry.Undertheinfluenceofangeramandoesallsorts
offoolishthingsthatheafterwardsregrets.Hethrowsjudgment,experienceandcautiontothe
winds,andactslikeacrazyman.Infact,angerisasortofmadnessaphaseofinsanityifyou
doubtthislookcarefullyatthefaceofthefirstangrymanyoumeetandseehowirrationalhe
looksandacts.Itisawellknownfactthatifonekeepscoolwhilehisopponentisangry,hehas
decidedlythebestofthematterforheisasanemandealingwithanirrationalone.Itisthe
betterpolicytoallowtheotherfellowtostewinhisownfatofanger,keepingcoolyourselfat
thesametime.Itisacomparativelyeasymattertocooldownanangrymanwithoutbecoming
angrywithyouandasittakestwotomakeaquarrel,thematterissoonover.Youwillfind
thatacontroloftheoutwardexpressionwillgiveyoucontrolofyouinnermentalstate.Youwill
findthatifyouareabletocontrolyourvoice,keepingitcalm,steadyandlowpitched,youwill
notflyintoapassion,andmorethanthis,youwillfindbysodoingthatthevoiceoftheother
fellowwillgraduallycomedownfromitsloud,boisteroustones,andintheendbothofyouwill
bepitchingyourvoicesinthesamekeyandyouhavesetthatkeynote.Thisisworth
rememberingthiscontrolofthevoiceitisasecretwellworthknowingandpracticing.
Whileweareonthesubjectofvoice,wewouldliketocallyourattentiontoafurthercontrolof
voice,orratheracultivationofvoice.Amanhavingawellcontrolled,even,pleasantvoicehas
anadvantageoverothershavingequalabilitiesinotherdirections,butlackingthatonequality.
Thevalueofavibrant,resonant,softandflexiblevoiceisgreat.Ifyouhavesuchavoice,you
areblessed.Ifyoulackit,whystarttoworkandcultivateit.Oh,yes,youcan!Didyoueverhear
ofNathanSheppard,thewellknownpublicspeaker?Thenlistentothesewordsofhis,tellingof
hisnaturaldisadvantagesofvoice,andhowheovercamethemandbecameagreatspeaker.He
says:WhenImadeupmymindtodevotemymindandbodytopublicspeaking,Iwastoldby
myteachersandgovernorsthatIwouldcertainlyfail;thatmyarticulationwasafailure,andit
was;thatmyorgansofspeechwereinadequate,andtheywere;andthatifIwouldscrewup
mylittlemouthitcouldbeputintomymothersthimble,anditcould.Stingingwordsthese
certainlywere,andcruelones.Ishallneverforgetthem;possibly,however,theystungmeinto
apersistencythatIwouldhaveneverknownbutforthesewords.Atallevents,thatisthe
philosophyoftheselfmadeworldofmankind.Imaynothaveaccomplishedmuch;Idonot
claimtohaveaccomplishedmuch.ItissomethingIhavemadealivingoutof,myartfortwenty
years,andthatIdoclaimtohavedoneinspiteofeveryobstacleandeverydiscouragement,by
turningmywilluponmyvoiceandvocalorgans,bycultivatingmyelocutionaryinstinctsandmy
earforthecadencesofrhetoric,byknowingwhatIandmyvoiceandmyfeelingswereabout,
bymakingthemostofmyself.Afterthesewords,anythingthatwemightaddregardingthe
possibilityofacquiringagoodvoicebywill,practiceanddesirewouldbesuperfluous.Pickout
thekindofvoicethatyouthinkbestadaptedtoyourwork,andthencultivateitbypractice,
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determinationanddesire.IfMr.Sheppardcouldbecomeafamouspublicspeakerwithsuch
obstaclesasthese,thenforyoutosaybutIcantistostampyouasaweakling.
Ithasbeensuggestedtousthatwehaveafewwordstosayregardingthecarriageorphysical
bearingoftheperson,asanimportantpartofPersonalityparticularlyinthephaseofWalking.
Butwedonotthinkthatisnecessarytoaddtowhatwehavesaidinthislessonregardingthe
subject,inconnectionwithwhatwehavealsosaidregardingthementalstateofSelfRespect.
ThemainthingistocultivatetheMentalStateofSelfRespect,andtherestwillfollowasa
naturalconsequence.ThoughttakesforminAction,andthemanwhohasSelfRespect
imbeddedinhismindwillsurelysocarryanddemeanhimthathewillgiveevidenceofhis
mentalstateinhiseveryphysicalaction,gesture,carriageandmotion.Hemusthaveitwithin,
aswellaswithout.Onemustpayattentiontotheexterioraspectofcourse,particularlyinthe
matterofdress.OneshouldcultivateCleanlinessandNeatness,ofbothbodyandclothing.To
bewelldresseddoesnotmeantomeshowilycladinfact,thepersonwhoisbestdressedis
inconspicuouslydressed.Cultivateaquiet,refinedtaste,expressedinqualityratherthanin
showiness.AndaboveallbeClean.
Inconclusion,letusimpressuponyouagainandagainthatthatwhichwecallPersonalityisbut
theoutermaskoftheIndividualWithin.ThemaskmaybechangedbyaneffortoftheWill,
aidedbyanintelligentdiscrimination.FirstfindoutwhatkindofPersonalityyoushouldhave,
andthensettoworktocultivateittogrowit,infact.FormtheMentalImageofwhatyouwant
tobethenthinkofitdesireitardentlywillthatyoushallhaveitthenActItOut,overand
overagain;rehearsalafterrehearsal,untilyouwillactuallymaterializeyouridealintoobjective
reality.Makeagoodmentalpatternormold,andthenpourinyourmentalmaterialsteadily,
andslowly!FromthemoldwillcomeforththeCharacterandPersonalitythatyoudesireand
need.ThenpolishupthisnewbornPersonalityuntilitbecomesradiantwiththebrightnessof
Culture.
Youcanbewhatyouwanttobeifyouonlywanttohardenough.Desireisthemotherofthe
Actuality.RememberoncemoretheoldruleEARNESTDESIRECONFIDENTEXPECTATION
FIRMRESOLVEthesearethethreethingsthatleadtoACCOMPLISHMENT.Andnowthatwe
havegivenyouthislittleSecretofSuccessUSEIT.ItisUptoYoutoMakeGood.Wehave
pressedthebuttonyoumustdotherest!

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AnAfterword
Onreadingtheforegoingpagesaftertheyhavebeensetupintype,weareimpressedwiththe
ideathatinspiteofourdetermination,asexpressedinthefirstfewpages,nottoattempttolay
downacodeorrulesoracourseofconductwhichshouldbeconsideredasaninfallibleGuide
toSuccessinspiteofourvoweddeterminationnottoposeasateacherorpreacherwe
haveneverthelessmanagedtodoconsiderableinthedirectionoflayingdownthelawsofar
asisconcernednamingofthingstobedone,oravoided.
However,wefeelthattheadvicegivenisgood,andthatthevariousexamplesquotedare
calculatedtoarousewithinthemindofthereadertheSpiritthatleadstoSuccess.And,with
thisthought,wesendforththesepagestothosewhomayattractthemtothemselves,orwho
maybeattractedtothemundertheLawofAttraction.Butwefeelthatweshallnothave
completedourtaskunlesswe,oncemore,remindthereaderthatSuccessisnottobegained
byablindandslavishfollowingofanyonesrulesoradvice,ourownanymorethananyother
persons.ThereisnoRoyalRoadtoSuccessnoPatentProcessbywhichtheunsuccessfulare
tobemagicallytransformedintoCaptainsofIndustryorMagnatesofWallStreet.Thereis
nothingmoreamusing,orpitiful,accordingtohowoneviewsit,thanthebulkofSuccessTalk
giventothepublicbyselfappointedteachersandpreachers.Thereisnoonewhocaninafew
pagespointouttoseekersafterSuccessaninfalliblemethodwherebyeachandeveryonemay
attaintheSuccessandAttainmentthattheirheartscrave.Itisacold,hardtruththateachand
everymanmustworkouthisownsalvationinthematterofSuccess.Rulesandadvicemay
greatlyassistandtheyundoubtedlydothisbuttheindividualmustaccomplishthereal
work.HemustcarveouthisownDestiny,andthereisnopoweraboveorbelowthatwilldothe
workforhimifherefusestoperformithimself.
TheoldsayingthatGodhelpshimwhohelpshimselfistrueinmoresensesthanone.Itistrue
inthesensethattheHigherAidseemstorefusetocometotheassistanceofonewhoisnot
willingtostrikeoutforhimanddohisbest.ButitistrueinanothersensethisAiddoescome
toonewhowillthrowheartandsoulintothetasksetbeforehim,andwhowilldoeachdays
workthebestheknowhow,withhopeinhissoul,andaconfidentexpectationofbetterthings
rightahead,aroundtheturnoftheroad.Thewisemanistheonewhotakescourageouslythe
steprightaheadofhim,plantinghisfootfirmlyandconfidentlyuponit,althoughheisunable
toseefurtherahead.Tosuchaonestepafterstepisilluminatedasheproceeds,andhe
reacheshisgoal,whereastheshrinkingones,whohavefearedtotaketheobviousstepbecause
theycouldnotseebeyondit,arestillwaitingforsomethingtoturnup.Thiswaitingbusinessis
apoorpolicyasGarfieldsaid:Dontwaitforsomethingtoturnupgooutandturn
somethingup.Takethestepbeforeyouboldlyandhopefully,andthenextstepwillthen
appear.Thethingtodoisthatwhichliesrightbeforeyoutobedonedoitthebestyouknow
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how,feelingassuredthatinitsdoingyouwillbemakingprogresstowardthebetterthingsfor
whichyourhearthasbeenlonging.Newideascomewhileyouareinactioninthedoingof
thingscomestheinspirationforthedoingofgreaterthings.Youcanalwaysgetabetter
runningstartwheninaction,whichwillgiveyouanadvantageoverthebeststandingstart
imaginable.Getintoactionandmotion.
Inthislittleworkwehaveendeavoredtocallyourattentiontosomethingoffargreater
importancethanamerecodeofrulesandgeneraladvice.Wehavepointedouttoyouthe
gloriousfactthatwithineachofyouthereisaSomethingWithin,whichifoncearousedwould
giveyouagreatlyincreasedpowerandcapacity.Andsowehavetriedtotellyouthisstoryof
theSomethingWithin,fromdifferentviewpoints,sothatyoumightcatchtheideainseveral
ways.WefirmlybelievethatSuccessdependsmostmateriallyuponarecognitionand
manifestationofthisSomethingWithinwethinkthatastudyofthecharacterandworkofall
successfulmenwillshowyouthatdifferastheydoinpersonalcharacteristics,theyallmanifest
thatconsciousnessofthatSomethingWithinthemthatgivesthemanassuranceofInward
PowerandStrength,fromwhichproceedsCourageandSelfConfidence.Youwillfindthatthe
majorityofsuccessfulmenfeelthatthereisaSomethinghelpingthembackofandbehind
theirefforts.SomehavecalledthisThingbythenameofLuckorDestiny,orsomesuch
term.ButitisallaformofthesamerecognitionofanInwardPowerthattheyarehelpedin
someway,althoughtheyarenotquitesureofthenatureofthehelperinfact,themajorityof
themdonotstoptospeculateuponitsnature,theyaretoobusyandarecontentwiththe
knowledgethatItisthere.ThisSomethingWithinistheIndividualtheIineachofthem
thesourceofthepowerwhichmenmanifestwhentheyexpressit.Andthislittlebookis
writteninthehopesthattomanyitmaybethefirststeptowardtherecognition,unfoldment
andmanifestationofthisInwardPower.
WeearnestlyurgeuponyoutocultivatethisIAMconsciousnessthatyoumayrealizethe
PowerWithinyou.Andthentherewillcomenaturallytoyouthecorrelatedconsciousness
whichexpressesitselfinthestatement,ICANandIWILL,oneofthegrandestaffirmationsof
Powerthatmancanmake.ThisICanandIWillconsciousnessisthatexpressionofthe
SomethingWithin,whichwetrustthatyouwillrealizeandmanifest.Wefeelthatbehindallthe
advicethatwecangiveyou,thisonethingisthePRIMEFACTORintheSecretofSuccess.

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