Thoughts Are Things: Essays on the Power of Thought

By Prentice Mulford

Book Overview

houghts Are Things presents Prentice Mulford's early articulation of mental causation and the formative influence of thought upon circumstance and character.

A foundational text in the development of New Thought philosophy, the work argues that thought is not passive reflection but active force. Mulford maintains that habits of mind shape outward conditions and that disciplined interior life produces corresponding effects in experience. His essays blend metaphysical speculation with practical reflection, advancing the claim that inner conviction and sustained attention influence both personal disposition and external outcome.

Written in the late nineteenth century, Thoughts Are Things helped establish themes later expanded by writers such as Ralph Waldo Trine and Florence Scovel Shinn. Mulford's prose retains the cadence of its era while articulating principles that would become central to twentieth-century prosperity and self-culture movements. Presented here in its complete form, the text stands as a primary document in the history of American metaphysical thought.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1934451207
• ISBN13: 9781934451205
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Sublime Books
• Length: 104 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A thought-provoking book!

Prentice Mulford wrote this book in 1889, long before more well-known, contemporary authors began writing about the power of thought. Despite being over 100 years old, this is a powerful book on thought. Mulford explains we have, in effect, two minds: the mind of the body and the mind of the spirit. The mind of the body is limited and fights change. It thinks things must always be the way they've always been. The mind of the spirit trusts in the Supreme Power which made all things and knows that anything is possible if you believe. Long before the law of attraction became widely known, Mulford talked about the fact that what we talk about and think about is what we attract to ourselves. He explains that if a group of people talk about disease or suffering, they will eventually bring disease and suffering to themselves in some form. He also notes that the surest way for a woman to become ugly is to be discontented, cross, complaining and envious of others. He therefore encourages the reader to call on the help of the Supreme Power to get into the thought current of things that are healthy, natural, strong and beautiful, and leave the negative thinking behind. While the book talks about many aspects of the power of thought that will be familiar to today's readers, he also covers some topics you don't hear discussed as much today. One of my favorite chapters is the one on cultivating courage. He notes that courage and presence of mind mean the same thing; and cowardice and lack of mental control mean about the same thing. He notes that courage comes from discipline regarding so-called little or trivial things. It means focusing on whatever you're doing at the moment, rather than allowing your thoughts to scatter in many directions. This focus allows you to have the presence of mind to do what needs to be done, rather than to panic. A great example of courage he gives is: "It was this electric vigilance and mind watchfulness that gave an American officer during the Revolution, who, in the confusion of battle, suddenly found himself in front of a British regiment, the deliberation to ask, 'What troops are these?' 'The Royal Scots,' was the reply. 'Royal Scots remain as you are,' was his answer, and he rode off to his own lines. That man had a mind trained to give him time to think." I have not read another book on thought quite like this one, and would encourage anyone interested in better understanding the power of thought to give this book a try!

New Edition

This is not the Kessinger edition as the previous review suggests, but a new edition that has been taken from the same source material. Rather than create yet one more faded, hard to read facsimile edition Wilder Publications created a new layout making this book much easier on the eyes than the other editions I've seen.

Life Changing Book !!

I first read this book when I was 14. Every now and then I'd get back to it and get empowered. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone who wants +ve change in their life/wants to take ctrl. of their life etc. It's a truly amazing, simply written book!

a book born out of its time

It's an inspiration of life and every one should read it. It would make the world a better place. I think Prentice Mulford was closer to God than most.