A man has to learn that he cannot command things, but that he can command himself; that he cannot coerce the wills of others, but that he can mold and master his own will: and things serve him who serves Truth; people seek guidance of him who is master of himself.
James Allen

A man is literally what he thinks.
James Allen

A man is not rightly conditioned until he is a happy, healthy, and prosperous being; and happiness, health, and prosperity are the result of a harmonious adjustment of the inner with the outer of the man with his surroundings.
James Allen

A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life.
James Allen

Above all be of single aim; have a legitimate and useful purpose, and devote yourself unreservedly to it.
James Allen

All that you accomplish or fail to accomplish with your life is the direct result of your thoughts.
James Allen

As in the rankest soil the most beautiful flowers are grown, so in the dark soil of poverty the choicest flowers of humanity have developed and bloomed.
James Allen

Circumstances do not make the man, they reveal him.
James Allen

Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.
James Allen

For true success ask yourself these four questions: Why? Why not? Why not me? Why not now?
James Allen


Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bear bad fruit.
James Allen

Happiness is mental harmony; unhappiness is mental inharmony.
James Allen

Harmony is one phase of the law whose spiritual expression is love.
James Allen

He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much; he who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.
James Allen

If you real desire is to be good, there is no need to wait for the money before you do it; you can do it now, this very moment, and just where you are.
James Allen

In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result.
James Allen

It is a process of diverting one's scattered forces into one powerful channel.
James Allen

Let there be nothing within thee that is not very beautiful and very gentle, and there will be nothing without thee that is not beautiful and softened by the spell of thy presence.
James Allen

Man is made or unmade by himself. By the right choice he ascends. As a being of power, intelligence, and love, and the lord of his own thoughts, he holds the key to every situation.
James Allen

Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.
James Allen