Quick Read and Audio book: Acres of Diamonds by Russell H. Conwell

Acres of Diamonds is often quoted today by ‘mindset’ gurus. Hundreds of thousands of people have been motivated and inspired by this great classic book. Russell’s ideas, ideals, and enthusiasms teach us that we don’t need to look elsewhere for opportunity, achievement, or fortune-the resources to achieve all good things are present in our own community. Anyone can create wealth if we try hard enough, and our own "Acre of Diamonds" is well within our grasp.

Chapter 1: WEALTH IS IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD.

There was once a wealthy man named Ali Hafed who lived not far from the River Indus. “He was contented because he was wealthy, and wealthy because he was contented." One day a priest visited Ali Hafed and told him about diamonds. Ali Hafed heard all about diamonds, how much they were worth, and went to his bed that night as a poor man. He had not lost anything, but he was poor because he was discontented, and discontented because he feared he was poor. Ali Hafed sold his farm, left his family, and traveled to Palestine and then to Europe searching for diamonds. He did not find them. His health and his wealth failed him. Dejected, he cast himself into the sea. One day, the man who had purchased Ali Hafed’s farm found a curious sparkling stone in a stream that cut through his land. It was a diamond. Digging produced more diamonds — acres of diamonds, in fact. This, according to the parable, was the discovery of the famed diamonds of Golconda.

Are you one of those people who looks for diamonds in faraway places. Is the grass really greener there? Is there an opportunity that has been in front of you all the time. Have you taken stock of your life lately? Perhaps there are diamonds sitting just outside your back door. Now I’m not suggesting you physically go and start digging up your backyard, as this is a story, so how can you find the acres of diamonds in your own backyards?

Each of us is right in the middle of our own Acres of Diamonds, if only we would realize it and develop the ground we are standing on before charging off in search of greener pastures.

Opportunity does not just come along – it is there all the time – we just have to see it.
In life, when we go searching for “something," we should know what that “something" looks, smells and tastes like so that we can recognize it when we find it.
Before we give up what we already have, make sure that what we’re getting is better than what we already have.

Chapter 2: THE BIBLE DOES NOT SAY "MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL".

Conwell rejects the common belief that in order to be pious (virtuous), one must be poor. He insists that “ninety-¬eight out of one hundred of the rich men of America are honest". To attain wealth is a noble thing because “you can do more good with it than you could without it".

A student challenges Conwell, being certain that scripture states “money is the root of all evil".

“Go out into the chapel and get the Bible," Conwell tells him. “And show me the place."
The young man returned, poked his finger into the book and read: “The love of money is the root of all evil." Not money, but the love of money is evil.

“That man who hugs the dollar until the eagle squeals (yells)," Conwell says, “has in him the root of all evil."

Chapter 3: TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS, GET TO KNOW CUSTOMERS

Conwell challenges business owners who insist that they cannot get rich in their town. He asks them about their neighbors. Where are they from? What do they do in their spare time? What do they want and need?
To the man who does not care about the answers to those questions, he replies: “If you had cared enough about him (neighbor) to take an interest in his affairs, to find out what he needed, you would have been rich."

Chapter 4: IT IS CRIMINAL TO NOT MAKE PROFIT ON WHAT YOU SELL.

The overly pious insist that it is sinful to profit on a transaction. Conwell replies that “you cannot trust a man with your money who cannot take care of his own." You have no right to injure your own business out of charity. To serve your community and customers, you must be a strong and stable institution. You are no good to anyone if you cannot take care of yourself.

Chapter 5: TO INHERIT A GREAT AMOUNT IS A CURSE.

To be born with plenty and therefore be without the drive to make something of oneself is a handicap. He pities the children of the wealthy. They will never know the best things in life. “One of the best things in our life is when a young man has earned his own living."

Much better than money is to leave your children with education, a noble character, a wide circle of friends and an honorable name. Continually he rebukes (scolds)  those who believe capital is required to make one rich. He responds with a story about a man who began whittling toys from firewood and, by observing what his own children wanted, built himself into a millionaire.

Read More (Free Audio summary)