James Allen was a British philosophical writer born in Leicester, England, in 1864.
His early life was marked by deep tragedy when his father was brutally murdered by robbers when Allen was only fifteen, forcing him to leave school and work as an executive secretary to support his family.
Despite his hardships, Allen spent his nights reading and reflecting on the ultimate power of the human mind.
In 1903, he published his literary masterpiece, “As a Man Thinketh“, a tiny book of just a few chapters that would go on to shape the entire modern self-help industry.
Inspired by ancient spiritual philosophies, Allen argued that a person’s character, health, and external life circumstances are a direct, unavoidable reflection of their inner thoughts.
Allen famously wrote that the human mind is like a garden, which can be either intelligently cultivated or allowed to run completely wild.
His timeless message that you are entirely responsible for your own mental attitude deeply inspired iconic figures like Norman
Vincent Peale, Og Mandino, and thousands of motivational speakers worldwide.
James Allen:The James Allen Free Library & Literary Trust Archives (jamesallen.org) and his biographical landmarks.
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