Top 25 growth books - XI

Acres of Diamond

Russell H. Conwell

A few quotes from the book:

“Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas; they are in your own backyard, if you but dig for them.”

“Do you ever see a man who struts around altogether too large to notice an ordinary working mechanic? Do you think he is great? 

He is nothing but a puffed-up balloon, held down by his big feet. 

There is no greatness there.” 

Russell Herman Conwell (1843 - 1925) was an American Baptist Minister, orator, philanthropist, lawyer, and writer. He is best remembered as the founder and first president of Temple University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the Pastor of The Baptist Temple.

This is a parable about Ali Hafed from Persia (Iran)n which the author had been recited during his travel along River Tigris in 1870.

Ali Hafed was a very wealthy and contented man till he met a Buddhist priest who described to Ali Hafed the power that he could wield by acquiring diamonds. Ali, on hearing that became a very discontented man though nothing in his life had changed. He felt that he was poor.

Hafed sold his farm and with the sales proceeds went away in search of diamonds.  Hafed wandered around different countries until he ran out of money. He was truly poor now. In his sorrow he threw himself into the waves of a sea in Spain. 

Meanwhile back at the farm, one day, the new owner picked up an unusual rock about the size of an egg and placed it on his mantle. This piece of rock turned out to be diamond. Subsequently the new owner, with the help of the Buddhist priest, found a diamond mine in the farm.

Ali had been standing on his own “Acres of Diamonds” until he sold his farm.

There are other similar stories in the book.

The book sends out the certain priceless message that each of us is right in the middle of our own “Acre of Diamonds”. We need to realize it and develop the ground we are standing on before charging off in search of greener pastures. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. It’s good to aspire for more because life is about moving forward, but don’t let greed dictate how you value and feel about yourself. And know what you are looking for.

A great read. 

Namaste

Prabir

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