Thought and Character

THE aphorism, "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he," not only embraces the whole of a man's being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his life. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.

The saying, "As a man thinks in his heart, so he is," describes every part of a man's being. It also extends to every condition and circumstance of his life. A man is literally what he thinks. His character is the sum of all his thoughts.

As the plant springs from, and could not be without, the seed, so every act of a man springs from the hidden seeds of thought, and could not have appeared without them. This applies equally to those acts called "spontaneous" and "unpremeditated" as to those, which are deliberately executed.

A plant grows from a seed and could not exist without it. In the same way, every human action grows from hidden seeds of thought and could not happen without them. This is equally true of actions called "spontaneous" and "unpremeditated" and those carried out deliberately.

Act is the blossom of thought, and joy and suffering are its fruits; thus does a man garner in the sweet and bitter fruitage of his own husbandry.

Action is the flower of thought, and joy and suffering are its fruits. So a man harvests the sweet and bitter fruits of what he has grown.

Man is a growth by law, and not a creation by artifice, and cause and effect is as absolute and undeviating in the hidden realm of thought as in the world of visible and material things. A noble and Godlike character is not a thing of favour or chance, but is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effect of long-cherished association with Godlike thoughts. An ignoble and bestial character, by the same process, is the result of the continued harbouring of grovelling thoughts.

A person grows according to natural laws, not through artificial design. Cause and effect is just as absolute and unchanging in the hidden world of thought as in the material world. A noble, Godlike character does not come from special favor or chance. Instead, it grows naturally from steady effort to think rightly and from holding Godlike thoughts for a long time. By the same process, a base, beastlike character grows from continually dwelling on low and degrading thoughts.

Man is made or unmade by himself; in the armoury of thought he forges the weapons by which he destroys himself; he also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peace. By the right choice and true application of thought, man ascends to the Divine Perfection; by the abuse and wrong application of thought, he descends below the level of the beast. Between these two extremes are all the grades of character, and man is their maker and master.

A person makes or destroys himself. In the workshop of thought, he forges the weapons he uses to destroy himself. He also makes the tools he uses to build heavenly homes of joy, strength, and peace for himself. By choosing his thoughts well and using them rightly, he rises to Divine Perfection. By misusing his thoughts and applying them wrongly, he sinks below the level of an animal. Between these two extremes lie all levels of character, and each person creates and controls his own.

Of all the beautiful truths pertaining to the soul which have been restored and brought to light in this age, none is more gladdening or fruitful of divine promise and confidence than this—that man is the master of thought, the moulder of character, and the maker and shaper of condition, environment, and destiny.

Many beautiful truths about the soul have been rediscovered and brought to light in our time. None brings greater joy or offers more divine promise and confidence than this truth: We control our thoughts, mold our character, and create and shape our circumstances, surroundings, and destiny.

As a being of Power, Intelligence, and Love, and the lord of his own thoughts, man holds the key to every situation, and contains within himself that transforming and regenerative agency by which he may make himself what he wills.

As a being of power, intelligence, and love, and master of his own thoughts, man holds the key to every situation. He has within himself the power to transform and renew himself, so he may become whatever he chooses.

Man is always the master, even in his weaker and most abandoned state; but in his weakness and degradation he is the foolish master who misgoverns his "household." When he begins to reflect upon his condition, and to search diligently for the Law upon which his being is established, he then becomes the wise master, directing his energies with intelligence, and fashioning his thoughts to fruitful issues. Such is the conscious master, and man can only thus become by discovering within himself the laws of thought; which discovery is totally a matter of application, self analysis, and experience.

Man is always the master, even at his weakest and most lost. But in his weakness and decline, he is a foolish master who poorly manages his "household." When he begins to examine his condition and carefully seek the Law underlying his existence, he becomes a wise master. He directs his energy intelligently and shapes his thoughts to produce good results. This is the conscious master. A man can become such a master only by discovering within himself the laws of thought. This discovery depends entirely on dedicated effort, self-examination, and experience.

Only by much searching and mining, are gold and diamonds obtained, and man can find every truth connected with his being, if he will dig deep into the mine of his soul; and that he is the maker of his character, the moulder of his life, and the builder of his destiny, he may unerringly prove, if he will watch, control, and alter his thoughts, tracing their effects upon himself, upon others, and upon his life and circumstances, linking cause and effect by patient practice and investigation, and utilizing his every experience, even to the most trivial, everyday occurrence, as a means of obtaining that knowledge of himself which is Understanding, Wisdom, Power. In this direction, as in no other, is the law absolute that "He that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened;" for only by patience, practice, and ceaseless importunity can a man enter the Door of the Temple of Knowledge.

Gold and diamonds are found only through extensive searching and digging. Likewise, a person can discover every truth about his being if he digs deep into his soul. He may prove beyond doubt that he shapes his own character, life, and destiny if he watches, controls, and changes his thoughts. He must trace how his thoughts affect himself, others, and his life and circumstances. Through patient practice and investigation, he must connect cause and effect. He must use every experience, even the smallest everyday event, to gain self-knowledge, which is Understanding, Wisdom, Power. In this pursuit, as in no other, the law holds without exception: "Whoever seeks finds, and whoever knocks will have the door opened to him." For only through patience, practice, and persistent effort can a person enter the Door of the Temple of Knowledge.