As a Man Thinketh — narrated by a designed AI voice
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Read the transcript
Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control. Its presence is an indication of ripened experience, and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought. A man becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a thought evolved being, for such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought, and as he develops a right understanding, and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect he ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, serene. The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others; and they, in turn, reverence his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him. The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Even the ordinary trader will find his business prosperity increase as he develops a greater self-control and equanimity, for people will always prefer to deal with a man whose demeanour is strongly equable.
“Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.”
About this work
As a Man Thinketh (1903) takes its title from Proverbs: "as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." In seven short essays, from "Thought and Character" to "Serenity," Allen argues that character, circumstances and even health grow out of a person's habitual thinking, and that a changed mind changes a life.
It is short enough to hear in a single sitting.
Who was James Allen?
James Allen (1864–1912) was born in Leicester, England, and left school at fifteen after his father's death. He worked for years as a private secretary and stationer in the manufacturing trade before turning, in his late thirties, to writing full time.
Settling in Ilfracombe on the Devon coast, he wrote nearly twenty books on thought, character and the inner life, and with his wife Lily edited the magazine The Light of Reason. As a Man Thinketh, a slim volume of seven essays, became one of the founding texts of modern self-help and is still widely read more than a century later.
About the voice
This edition uses a designed AI voice: a new voice generated from a written description of James Allen’s voice, not cloned from any recording of the author. It is not a recording of James Allen reading this work.
Provenance: Designed AI voice — designed from a written description, not cloned from any recording of the author. We label every voice by how it was made for this edition — restored, designed, studio AI, or disputed.
Questions
Is this James Allen’s recorded voice?
No. This edition uses a designed AI voice: a new voice generated from a written description of James Allen’s voice, not cloned from any recording of the author. It is not a recording of James Allen reading this work.
Is As a Man Thinketh in the public domain?
Yes. First published in 1903, As a Man Thinketh is in the public domain in the United States; availability varies by country.
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