James Allen, the philosopher (not my brother, Jim), has been called the “literary mystery man of the 20th Century”. Even though his best selling classic work “As A Man Thinketh” has influenced, and even inspired millions around the world, not much is known about the man himself.

In another one of his books, “The Path to Prosperity” he gives this wise counsel: “Money does not constitute true wealth, nor position, nor power, and to rely on it alone is to stand upon a slippery place.

“Your true wealth is your stock of virtue, and your true power the uses to which you put it. Rectify your heart, and you will rectify your life. Lust, hatred, anger, vanity, pride, covetousness, self-indulgence, self-seeking, obstinacy—all these things are poverty and weakness; whereas love, purity, gentleness, meekness, patience, compassion, generousity, self-forgetfulness, and self-renunciation—all these are wealth and power.” (page 96)

It seems that both Benjamin Franklin and George Washington learned these same lessons in their youth. They both became very prosperous, but they are known more for their wisdom, leadership, and honesty than for their wealth.. And they tried to teach those they came in contact with, these same principles of character.

Those who seek these characteristics today acquire wealth along with what James Allen calls “true wealth.” Wouldn’t we be wise to follow their examples?