quotations and passages from Norman Vincent Peale

Norman Vincent Peale

Norman Vincent Peale's belief in prayer and positive thinking has lead him him to be
one of the most highly respected people in broadcast ministry. He effectively
utilized the use of radio, television, and newspapers to share the message of faith
in God and the power of positive thinking with the world. Peale's book called,
"The Power of Positive Thinking" has touched millions of souls by sharing his
upbeat philosophy of religion, and believing in the positive plan God has
in store for you. His message emphasizes the importance of believing in yourself,
living a controlled life, and thinking the kind of thoughts that are going
to lead you to a more fulfilling and satisfying life.

The son of a Methodist minister from Ohio, his successful ministry is evident by the many
lives he has touched through his belief in the power of prayer and positive thinking.

thinkers home

Those who are fired with an enthusiastic idea and who allow it to take hold and dominate their thoughts find that new worlds open for them. As long as enthusiasm holds out, so will new opportunities. The first step is to fill your life with a positive faith that will help you through anything. The second is to begin where you are.

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our successes or failure.

Never say anything to hurt anyone. Moreover. . . . refrain from double talk, from shrewd and canny remarks that are designed to advance our interests at someone's disadvantage. We are to turn our back upon evil, and in every way possible, do good, help people and bring blessings into their lives.

Throw back the shoulders, let the heart sing, let the eyes flash, let the mind be lifted up, look upward and say to yourself. . . Nothing is impossible! One way to become enthusiastic is to look for the plus sign. To make progress in any difficult situation, you have to start with what's right about it and build on that.

Watch your manner of speech if you wish to develop a peaceful
state of mind. Start each day by affirming peaceful, contented and
happy attitudes and your days will tend to be pleasant and successful.

The mind, ever the willing servant, will respond to boldness,
for boldness, in effect, is a command to deliver mental resources.

Begin where you are. Begin now.

Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem
to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities--
always see them, for they’re always there.

Nothing of great value in this life comes easily.
The things of highest value sometimes come hard.
The gold that has the greatest value lies
deepest in the earth, as do the diamonds.

Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture
of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously.
Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop
the picture. . . Do not build up obstacles in your imagination.

A primary method for gaining a mind full of peace is to practice emptying the mind.

Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don’t have any problems,
you don’t get any seeds.

Do not be awe struck by other people and try to copy them.
Nobody can be you as efficiently as you can.

Practice hope. As hopefulness becomes a habit,
you can achieve a permanently happy spirit.

Through persistence, self-knowledge, prayer, commitment,
optimism, a resolute trust in God, and the building of
your own personal moral strength, you can enjoy the blessings
of a deeper faith, and face the difficulties of life with courage and confidence.

People become really quite remarkable when they
start thinking that they can do things. When they believe
in themselves they have the first secret of success.

How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself--so always think positively.

Practice loving people. It is true that this requires effort
and continued practice, for some are not very lovable,
or so it seems--with emphasis on "seems." Every person
has lovable qualities when you really learn to know him.

The "as if" principle works. Act "as if" you were not afraid
and you will become courageous, "as if" you could and
you'll find you can. Act "as if" you like a person and you'll find a friendship.

Anybody can do just about anything with themselves
that they really want to and make up their mind to do.
We are all capable of greater things than we realize.

Life's blows cannot break a person whose spirit is warmed at the fire of enthusiasm.

In every difficult situation is potential value. Believe this, then begin looking for it.

When you wholeheartedly adopt a 'with all your heart' attitude
and go all out with the positive principle, you can do incredible things.

Our happiness depends on the habit of mind we cultivate.
So practice happy thinking every day. Cultivate the merry heart,
develop the happiness habit, and life will become a continual feast.

When you become detached mentally from yourself and concentrate
on helping other people with their difficulties, you will be able to cope
with your own more effectively. Somehow, the act of self-giving
is a personal power-releasing factor.

The "how" thinker gets problems solved effectively
because he or she wastes no time with futile "ifs" but goes
right to work on the creative "how."

Empty pockets never held anyone back.
Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.

Drop the idea that you are Atlas carrying the world
on your shoulders. The world would go on even
without you. Don't take yourself so seriously.

It is of practical value to learn to like yourself.
Since you must spend so much time with yourself
you might as well get some satisfaction out of the relationship.

Joy increases as you give it, and diminishes
as you try to keep it for yourself. In giving it,
you will accumulate a deposit of joy greater
than you ever believed possible.

Never talk defeat. Use words like hope, belief, faith, victory.

The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be
ruined by praise than saved by criticism.

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