Acres of Diamonds by Russell H. Conwell is one of my top 10 favorite books of all time. This little book is a true masterpiece. It is filled with enough wisdom to make anyone successful and wealthy. One of my favorite things about the book is that it is a quick and easy read. You can probably read it in about an hour.
Acres of Diamonds Book Review
Acres of Diamonds is nearly 100-years old. It is a story about success and wealth. In simple terms, the thesis of the book is that you can create success and wealth right where you are right now! He challenges you to seek out opportunities to find true wealth and success right in your own backyard. It doesn’t matter what city, state, or country you live in. There are ample opportunities if you keep an open mind and seek them out!
The problem is that most people don’t think that way. Most people focus on what they don’t have. They think things would be easier or better if they lived somewhere else. More importantly, most people focus on outside things, rather than take advantage of the untapped opportunities they do have available to them.
I give this book 5 of 5 stars. It is a must read for anyone who feels stuck with their current lot in life!
Top Russell Conwell Quotes
In the paragraphs below, I want to share my top 10 favorite Russell Conwell quotes from Acres of Diamonds and provide my own thoughts about each quote.
# 1: He had not lost anything, but he was poor because he was discontented, and discontented because he feared he was poor.
My Take: If you aren’t happy with whom you are and what you have, you will never be wealthy. Money doesn’t make you rich or poor. Poor and wealth are a mindset. It’s fine to want more in life, but always be content and appreciative of what you do have.
# 2: He was contented because he was wealthy, and wealthy because he was contented.
My Take: Money will make you more of what you already are. True wealth is being content with whom you are as a person, loving yourself, and having someone to love and share your life with.
# 3: Of all the simpletons the stars shine on I don’t know of a worse one than the man who leaves one job before he has gotten another.
My Take: This lesson is simple. Never quit your job until you have another job lined up. The last thing you want to do is put yourself in a bad financial situation, because you didn’t prepare.
# 4: Ninety-eight out of one hundred of the rich men of America are honest. That is why they are rich. That is why they are trusted with money. That is why they carry on great enterprises and find plenty of people to work with them.
My Take: Rich people are not bad, contrary to popular belief. It’s hard to get rich if you are a mean person or bad person and rip people off. Most rich people have big hearts, donate lots of money to charity, and do lots of great things for society.
# 5: Love is the grandest thing on God’s earth, but fortunate the lover who has plenty of money.
My Take: Having someone to love and share your life with is the greatest thing on earth. But if you can do that while having plenty of money too, it makes life even better.
# 6: The moment a young man or woman gets more money than he or she has grown to by practical experience, that moment he has gotten a curse.
My Take: You see this all the time when people win the lottery or inherit money. They are typically broke and bankrupt within a few short years. People do not appreciate things they have not earned. When you give someone something for nothing, it does become a curse, and in most cases it does more bad than good.
# 7: There is no class of people to be pitied so much as the inexperienced sons and daughters of the rich of our generation. I pity the rich man’s son.
My Take: Most wealthy people do not do a great job teaching their kids how to become wealthy. They hand them everything on a silver platter, and don’t expect them to do the same things they had to do to become successful and wealthy.
# 8: The really great man is plain, straightforward, everyday, commonsense man.
My Take: Don’t put rich or successful people on a cloud or pedestal. Most of them are ordinary folks just like you and I who simply had big goals, lots of discipline, and a strong work ethic. Remember, everyone puts their pants on the same way!
# 9: You think you are going to be made great by an office, but remember that if you are not great before you get the office, you won’t be great when you secure it. It will only be a burlesque in that shape.
My Take: The job does not make the man, it simply reveals the man. Whatever job you have in life, always give it 100% and do your best. And remember, power and authority simple reveal who you really are.
# 10: Greatness consists not in the holding of some future office, but really consists in doing great deeds with little means and the accomplishment of vast purposes from the private ranks of life.
My Take: Attaining a certain job, title, or position in life will not make you great or happy. Greatness comes from within, regardless of your occupation. Greatness comes from doing everything that you do to the best of your ability.
About the Book
Acres of Diamonds first started out as a speech and then became a book in 1890. The thesis of the book is that you can be successful in life right where you are right now. Millions of copies have been sold. Now, more than 130 years after it was published, the information is still relevant.
About Russell Conwell
Russell Conwell was a minister, lawyer, philanthropist and orator. He lived from 1843 to 1925. He founded Temple University in Philadelphia.
Buy the Book
You can order a copy on Amazon by clicking on the image you see below.
Final Thoughts
In summary, Acres of Diamonds is one of my favorite books of all time. It is a masterpiece and is loaded with so many great quotes and wisdom that can really shape your life and prepare you for success. If you’ve never read it before you should. Overall, I give it a 5 of 5.
What are your thoughts? What is your favorite Russell Conwell quote from Acres of Diamonds? Leave a comment and let us know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you.
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Wow, I have never read this book, but I want to now.
All of these quotes are great. I was especially moved by:
#3. I have always lived by this principle. It just behooves me when a person quits a job but has nothing else to go to. No matter how much you hate a position, it only makes good sense to find something else before quitting.
#6. As you said, we see it all the time with lottery winners. Before you know it they are bankrupt. Earning money by work makes us appreciate it more.
#8. Money and material items doesn’t make a great person…honesty and upright morals make them.
Yes, I am going to get a copy of this book. Thank you sir.
You should read it immediately. You can get a copy on Amazon for just a couple dollars.
I do like quote 4 about 98 out of 100 of the rich men being honest. The media spends so much time highlighting and exposing those who have obtained wealth via lying and stealing, so that definitely contradicts that idea. And ultimately when you do an analysis, the majority of the wealthy individuals out there really are great business people who are honest and invested in their customers; so I really like that he points that out.
Glad you agree, Diamond.