As A Man Thinketh

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Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are. Their

whims, fancies and ambitions are thwarted at every step, but their

inmost thoughts and desires are fed with their own food, be it foul or

clean. The " divinity that shapes our ends " is in ourselvs; it is our

very self. Man is manacled only by him-self: thought and action are the

gaolers of Fte they imprison, being base; they are also the angels of

Freedom -- they liberate, being noble. Not what he wishes and prays for

does man get, but what he justly earns. His wishes and prayers are only

gratified and answered when they harmonise with his thoughts and ations.

 

In the light of this truth, what, then, is the meaning of " fighting

against circumstances? " It means that a man is continually revolting

against an effect without, while all the time he is nourishing and

preserving its cause in his heart. Tht cause may take the form of a

conscious vice or an unconscious weakness; but whatever it is, it

stubbornly retards the efforts of its possessor, and thus calls aloud

for remedy.

 

Men are anxious to improve their circumstances but are unwilling to

improve themselves; they therefore remain bound. The man who does not

shrink form self-crucifixion can never fail to accomplilsh the object

upon which his heart is set. This is as true of earthly as of heavenly

things. Even the man whose sole object is to acquire wealth must be

prepared to make great personal sacrificies before he can accomplish

his object; and how much more so he who would realise a strong and well-

poised life?

 

Contd....