The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended for students of ethics and spirituality
Review: Ever since the 1960s, Kent Keith has doggedly insisted that despite the insanity that seems to consume the world, people can still act honorably and change things for the better. He calls his manifesto the "Paradoxical Commandments," and the very first commandment states: People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway! Commandment number two asserts: If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway! Now Keith's Paradoxical Commandments are presented with more detailed explanations, insights into the foibles of human nature, and the uplifting conviction that doing good for its own sake is the right, best, and happiest way to live. The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Personal Meaning In A Crazy World is aptly divided into three parts: It's a Crazy World; The Paradoxical Commandments; and Living the Paradoxical Life. Each part offers a little more insight into the world we live in, and how to make it a better place. Every few pages features a short proverb of kindly wisdom, such as "Who you are and how you live are more important than who remembers what you did." Highly recommended for students of ethics and spirituality, as well as the non-specialist general reader in search of self-improvement and personal insight.

Rating:
Summary: Simple ways to affect your life -- and improve the world.
Review: How wonderful to find such a compelling book of hope, of comfort, of action -- a clear voice of reason in a confusing and sometimes frightening world. It presents simple principles that are powerful enough to not only affect the way you view life experiences, but change your life if you apply them. The only person over whom each of us can hope to have any control is our own self. This book helps us see the possibilities of taking that control, no matter what else happens around us. And as Lois Wyse expressed, "[I]f one soul awakens, is not the whole world strengthened?" Read the book, then try to live the principles. You'll be happily surprised by the result.

Thank you, Kent, for sharing these eloquent Paradoxical Commandments with us.

Rating:
Summary: Simple ways to affect your life -- and improve the world.
Review: How wonderful to find such a compelling book of hope, of comfort, of action -- a clear voice of reason in a confusing and sometimes frightening world. It presents simple principles that are powerful enough to not only affect the way you view life experiences, but change your life if you apply them. The only person over whom each of us can hope to have any control is our own self. This book helps us see the possibilities of taking that control, no matter what else happens around us. And as Lois Wyse expressed, "[I]f one soul awakens, is not the whole world strengthened?" Read the book, then try to live the principles. You'll be happily surprised by the result.

Thank you, Kent, for sharing these eloquent Paradoxical Commandments with us.

Rating:
Summary: Buy the Book!
Review: This fabulous book is packed with wonderful wisdom. The author shares a series of interesting life stories that are enjoyable and convey a deep truth about the human experience. His writing leaves you renewed and inspired, providing a new perspective about the events and people that shape our lives. The main elements are the ten Paradoxical Commandments themselves. They combine to form a positive message about life and the human spirit. This enriching message frees you to be yourself, and give the world the best you have. The Commandments are so powerful that for years they have circled the entire globe, continually passed from person to person. Now, the original author takes you on his path of discovery. I urge you to read this book; it will refresh your soul.

Rating:
Summary: A gift to the world
Review: What a joy to read this book. The writing is simple and clear, the stories and anecdotes are relevant. My reaction to each ranged from touching (Seventh Commandment) to anger (Fifth Commandment) to the realization that "Hey, wait, I already do some of these." OK, maybe not all the time, but I have a good headstart and I can do better, starting with my family and friends, then community, and even the world!

I read this book Monday evening, September 10th. On Tuesday, the entire world needed to read this book.