Rating: 
Summary: Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World
Review: Kent M. Keith, has done the world a great service in writing this new book. The Paradoxical Commandments is a compendium of valuable insight relating to life. Overall the book conveys why one should adopt a philosophy of doing what is right and good and true, knowing a paradox may occur, but doing it anyway. The principles and philosophy and morals discussed provide the reader with a 10 item outline of how to achieve inner happiness even when facing bad things. Call the Paradoxical Commandments 10 reasons why one should on a personal level always choose to bring forth the best in ourselves in spite of being met by the worst from the world. All 10 of the Paradoxical Commandments are good reasons to take the high moral road on life's great journey. The book is a quick read and a guide to a short road to personal happiness. My advice is to buy this book, read it, take it to heart and pass it on to a friend.
Rating: 
Summary: The right thing is the right thing.
Review: Of the ethical systems popular today, so many of them reduce to calculations which depend on the question, 'What do I get out of this?' Decisions are made based on the consequences, or perceived consequences of actions. Utilitarianism, consequentialism, egoism, relativism are all challenged by this book -- which is really about ethics. It's a book about how we should live. With this said, I believe there are still 'reasons' for doing the right thing. I mean, doing what is universally right does not "fly in the face of logic" -- it is not irrational. If there is a greater purpose or meaning to life than simply pleasure, or happiness then giving your best, helping people, loving others, doing good, and being honest are then done in light of a greater, transcendent context. However, if one believes this world is all there is (no afterlife, no eternity, no purpose), then I would expect that person to challenge the premise and conclusion of this book. People should live for themselves exclusively and for the moment and not help others. To avoid this challenge and in order to anchor his ethics (the list) I believe the author needs to first firmly establish this framework of ultimate meaning. I know he says, 'do it anyway', but there are still reasons for 'doing it anyway'. Yes, it's the right thing to do, but there are still reasons for why it is the right thing to do. This book brings to mind an anecdote from the life of Ronald Reagan. A political advisor told President Reagan that he was making the wrong decision because the political consequences would be bad and his popularity rating would drop. Reagan told the advisor to never talk to him about consequences, but rather to advise him only regarding what is objectively right to do. What a difference this is compared to so many political leaders today who need to 'test the wind' via polls before every decision. This book is about doing the right thing -- regardless. (Not a popular subject, but one that needed to be written.)
Rating:
Summary: Too Simple for My Taste But ... READ IT ANYWAY!
Review: Short and sweet and a very, very easy read, this book is the kind of book that just makes you think "how nice". It is the kind of book that makes you feel good, the kind of book that, if your in a bit of a down mood or stuck in a rut, could be just what you need to re-energize your life. If you are not an avid motivational or spiritual reader, only occasionaly reading material of this nature, this book is IDEAL. It has just enough content to make you think about your actions and your place in the scheme of things, without getting overly deep or philosophical. If everyone read this book and really thought about and made an effort to apply it's priciples, the world would be a really fabulous place. I didn't rate the book 5 stars only because I prefer books with more content and insite and none of the ideas presented were new. It was just too simple for my taste... but hey... READ IT ANYWAY! It is definitely worth the very short investment of time it takes to do so!
Rating:
Summary: Worth every dime.
Review: Sometimes the simplicity of a good message is what makes it work. When my Mom and Dad gave me a copy of this book, I have to admit, I was worried that they had paid so much for a book that didn't seem "thick" enough. In reality, it was one of the best books I have ever read, and I think that I remember its message so vividly because it wasn't filled with fluff. I just used its message today (which I won't give away) to inspire me to continue down the right road in spite of some obstacles. Every one of my kids (all four of them) will read this book before they leave our house. Thanks, Mr. Keith for helping me with discernment on today's issue and every other time I have remembered your message. God bless you.
Rating:
Summary: Good philosophy
Review: The Paradoxical Commandments are some simple commandments that combine to make an excellent philosophy for living. The author teaches the joys and virtues of doing good things for the sake of doing them, without expecting yourself to be advanced or bettered in any way, and doing them even when it puts you at risk of becoming vulnerable or gaining false friends and true enemies. Each chapter is just a few pages long, perfect for reading a chapter a night before turning out the light, which is what I've been doing. The result has been countless little situations during the day - choices between good and bad, right and wrong - during which these little "commandments" come to mind. This is a wonderful read for anyone, especially those who sometimes wonder if even the little daily choices we each make make any difference. The author shows you they really do.
Rating:
Summary: Anyway, The Paradoxical Commandments
Review: THIS BOOK GETS ME THROUGH MY DAY, It is the beginning of my life!
With so many challenging problems that I have faced each and everyday, I have learned that there is always something good and I don't have to look far to find it! I only wish that this book had come to print much sooner!
It make me think!
Thank you! "ANYWAY!"
Rating: 
Summary: Not very realistic
Review: This book unfortunately did not enlighten me at all! :( It is quite difficult to treat someone kindly when they continue to stab you in the back. Unfortunately we are living in a world where evil is progressing as each day passes. Just turn on the news and you will see that the principles in this book are hard to apply in life as we know today... I believe that you should treat others as you would like to be treated. Diplomacy is used in everyday situations but I believe in treating someone exactly how they treat you, like a mirror. If you are nice to someone and all they do is gossip about you and treat you like dirt, why should you just grin and bear it.. Things are only going to get worse because unfortunately people are becoming more selfish and ruthless. Sure, they are some good ones out there but it is hard to remember that when you are out in the road driving and you have people running stop signs or red lights or cutting in front of you. I think it is quite hard to just smile and wish that person a wonderful day...
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