As a Man Thinketh | Page 8

into habit, and habit solidifies into circumstance. Bestial thoughts crystallize into habits
of drunkenness and sensuality, which solidify into circumstances of destitution and
disease: impure thoughts of every kind crystallize into enervating and confusing habits,
which solidify into distracting and adverse circumstances: thoughts of fear, doubt, and
indecision crystallize into weak, unmanly, and irresolute habits, which solidify into
circumstances of failure, indigence, and slavish dependence: lazy thoughts crystallize into
habits of uncleanliness and dishonesty, which solidify into circumstances of foulness and
beggary: hateful and condemnatory thoughts crystallize into habits of accusation and
violence, which solidify into circumstances of injury and persecution: selfish thoughts of
all kinds crystallize into habits of self-seeking, which solidify into circumstances more or
less distressing. On the other hand, beautiful thoughts of all kinds crystallize into habits
of grace and kindliness, which solidify into genial and sunny circumstances: pure
thoughts crystallize into habits of temperance and self-control, which solidify into
circumstances of repose and peace: thoughts of courage, self-reliance, and decision
crystallize into manly habits, which solidify into circumstances of success, plenty, and
freedom: energetic thoughts crystallize into habits of cleanliness and industry, which
solidify into circumstances of pleasantness: gentle and forgiving thoughts crystallize into
habits of gentleness, which solidify into protective and preservative circumstances:
loving and unselfish thoughts crystallize into habits of self-forgetfulness for others, which
solidify into circumstances of sure and abiding prosperity and true riches.
A particular train of thought persisted in, be it good or bad, cannot fail to produce its
results on the character and circumstances. A man cannot directly choose his
circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his
circumstances.
Nature helps every man to the gratification of the thoughts, which he most encourages,
and opportunities are presented which will most speedily bring to the surface both the
good and evil thoughts.
Let a man cease from his sinful thoughts, and all the world will soften towards him, and
be ready to help him; let him put away his weakly and sickly thoughts, and lo,
opportunities will spring up on every hand to aid his strong resolves; let him encourage
good thoughts, and no hard fate shall bind him down to wretchedness and shame. The
world is your kaleidoscope, and the varying combinations of colours, which at every
succeeding moment it presents to you are the exquisitely adjusted pictures of your
ever-moving thoughts.

"So You will be what you will to be; Let failure find its false content In that poor word,
'environment,' But spirit scorns it, and is free.
"It masters time, it conquers space; It cowes that boastful trickster, Chance, And bids the
tyrant Circumstance Uncrown, and fill a servant's place.
"The human Will, that force unseen, The offspring of a deathless Soul, Can hew a way to
any goal, Though walls of granite intervene.
"Be not impatient in delays But wait as one who understands; When spirit rises and
commands The gods are ready to obey."

EFFECT OF THOUGHT ON HEALTH AND THE BODY

THE body is the servant of the mind. It obeys the operations of the mind, whether they be
deliberately chosen or automatically expressed. At the bidding of unlawful thoughts the
body sinks rapidly into disease and decay; at the command of glad and beautiful thoughts
it becomes clothed with youthfulness and beauty.
Disease and health, like circumstances, are rooted in thought. Sickly thoughts will
express themselves through a sickly body. Thoughts of fear have been known to kill a
man as speedily as a bullet, and they are continually killing thousands of people just as
surely though less rapidly. The people who live in fear of disease are the people who get
it. Anxiety quickly demoralizes the whole body, and lays it open to the, entrance of
disease; while impure thoughts, even if not physically indulged, will soon shatter the
nervous system.
Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigour and grace. The body is a
delicate and plastic instrument, which responds readily to the thoughts by which it is
impressed, and habits of thought will produce their own effects, good or bad, upon it.
Men will continue to have impure and poisoned blood, so long as they propagate unclean
thoughts. Out of a clean heart comes a clean life and a clean body. Out of a defiled mind
proceeds a defiled life and a corrupt body. Thought is the fount of action, life, and
manifestation; make the fountain pure, and all will be pure.
Change of diet will not help a man who will not change his thoughts. When a man makes
his thoughts pure, he no longer desires impure food.
Clean thoughts make clean habits. The so-called saint who does not wash his body is not
a saint. He who has