I am summarizing the wisdom in Tom Butler-Bowdon’s three recent books: 50 Spiritual Classics, 50 Success Classics, and 50 Self-Help Classics.

Watch for them on our website.

Meanwhile, try these. They are the ‘essence’ of many of these popular writers. Can you recognize the author? An interesting exercise might be to put a tick or cross in the boxes, reflecting whether you agree with the sentiment/s or not. Or maybe put 1 – 10 in the boxes of the ten ‘best’ for you… Have fun!

‘He is a fool that cannot conceal his wisdom’ [ ] ‘There are no ordinary moments!’ [ ] ‘Seek truth in meditation, not in mouldy books [ ] ‘Be aware of death, then you will live differently’ [ ] ‘Blessed is the one expecting nothing, for that one shall enjoy everything’ [ ] ‘I am not a hindrance to myself’ [ ] ‘Just by existing we have a debt to repay, and we do so by being fully alive in each moment, not worried about past or future’ [ ] ‘Loosen up, and see what is special in ordinariness’ [ ] ‘Prayer is not for getting things, but for drawing closer to God and his will’ [ ] ‘Continual thinking prevents us from simply enjoying the moment’ [ ]

‘God specializes in giving people a fresh start’ [ ] ‘The nature of the universe is love… so we do not need to experience fear or doubt’ [ ]

‘Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have’ [ ] ‘Use your emotions rather than letting your emotions use you’ [ ] ‘Change your thoughts and you can change the world’ [ ] ‘Optimists believe defeat is not their fault: circumstances, bad luck or other people brought it about’ [ ] ‘Make friends by becoming interested in other people’ [ ] ‘Seek first to understand and then to be understood’ [ ]

‘Leaders are readers: read at least a dozen non-fiction books a year’ [ ]

‘Every single day improve yourself in some way’ [ ] ‘Treat people as a gift, not a chattel. Try to be kind, rather than right’ [ ] ‘A man’s sense of self is defined through his ability to achieve results; a woman’s sense of self is defined through her feelings and the quality of her relationships’ [ ] ‘20% of efforts lead to 80% of results. Spot the few really important things and ignore the mass of unimportant things’ [ ]

‘Nothing happens to anybody which he is not fitted by nature to bear’ [ ]

‘Nothing is miserable but what is thought so’ [ ] ‘Even at midlife, you can make monumental changes in your career and life philosophies’ [ ]

‘If you know the “why” for your existence, you will be able to bear almost any “how”’ [ ] ‘A leader is best when people barely know that he exists’ [ ] ‘Some men live with an invisible limp, stagger, or drag a leg. Their sons are often angry’ [ ] ‘[There are] invisible hands coming [to help]

all the time’ [ ] ‘Every individual has a unique character and calling to be realized’ [ ] ‘Problems do not go away. They must be worked through or else they remain, forever a barrier to the growth and development of the spirit’ [ ]

‘If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer’ [ ] ‘Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist: Insist on yourself; never imitate’ [ ] ‘Laugh at what you hold sacred, and still hold it sacred’ [ ] ‘Man is a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute’ [ ]

‘We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience’ [ ] ‘Praise the positive. Immediately correct mistakes’ [ ] ‘Talk to people, not at them. Be yourself; don’t try to be an orator’ [ ] ‘What exactly do you stand for? Can you summarize it in a few words?’ [ ] ‘Your fortune is in your own backyard, staring you in the face’ [ ] ‘The first step on the road to success is good character’ [ ] ‘It is more noble to give yourself to one person completely than to labor diligently for the salvation of the masses’ [ ] ‘Question conventional wisdom’ [ ] ‘History is bunk’ [ ]

‘God helps them that help themselves’ [ ] ‘Intellectual openness enables us to see opportunities that others do not see’ [ ] ‘Never worry if others think your ideas are crazy’ [ ] ‘Be willing to see the benefit in every disappointment’ [ ] ‘Everyone has three ‘ego states’ – Parent, Adult, Child [ ] ‘If you do not change, you can become extinct’ [ ]

‘Be magnanimous: do nothing in malice’ [ ] ‘Keep your head pointed towards the sun, and your feet moving forward’ [ ] ‘Model the behavior of an already successful person’ [ ] ‘The ultimate warrior wins the war by forcing the enemy to surrender without fighting any battles’ [ ] ‘You do not get to the top of Mt Everest by wandering around’ [ ] ‘You are the sum total of what goes into your mind: good clean powerful and positive information will enhance your chances of success’ [ ] ‘A good marital relationship is vital. The key? Loyalty’ [ ] ‘The most successful managers lead through service rather than through positional authority’ [ ]

— Shalom! Rowland Croucher

April 24, 2006