A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.
The author, James Allen, wants us to discover and perceive this truth that we create ourselves by the thoughts we choose and encourage. He says that pursuing legitimately purposeful thoughts will lead us to a life of serenity!
Man is always the master, even in his weakest and most abandoned state!
Mind weaves both of the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circumstance, and that, as they may have hitherto woven in ignorance and pain they may now weave in enlightenment and happiness.
Thought is the seed, Act is the blossom, Joy and Suffering are the fruits, Thus does a man garner in the sweet and bitter fruitage of his own husbandry.
The main message is that you are 100% responsible for what you are because you choose the thoughts and the rest follows!
So, what kind of thoughts should we seed?
Thoughts must be tied to a legitimate purpose.
Without a central purpose in life our thoughts will just fall an easy prey to petty worries, fears, troubles, and self-pitying, all of which lead to failure, unhappiness, and loss.
- A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart, and set out to accomplish it.
- It may take the form of a spiritual ideal, or it may be a worldly object, according to his nature at the time being; but whichever it is, he should make this purpose his supreme duty, and should devote himself to its attainment.
- Even if he fails, the strength of character gained will be the measure of his true success, and this will form a new starting point for future power and triumph.
Serenity is the end result
The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others; It does not matter whether it rains or shines, or what changes come, he ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, serene.
That exquisite poise of character which we call serenity is the last lesson of culture; it is the flowering of life, the fruitage of the soul.
How insignificant mere money-seeking looks in comparison with a serene life - a life that dwells in the ocean of Truth, beneath the waves, beyond the reach of tempests, in the Eternal Calm!