The History of the Self-Help Movement
- Self-Help oracles date back to the Roman Empire (over 2000 years ago) … Cicero wrote “On Friendship” in 44 BC … Ovid wrote “Art of Love” in AD 2
- Fast forward to the 1550’s, when Giovanni della Casa wrote the “Book of Manners” A Renaissance Courtesy-book: Galateo of Manners & Behaviours.
- Then in 1859, Samuel Smiles a Scottish author and government reformer, wrote his masterpiece “Self-Help.” and was first to hyphenate the word self-help.
- Phineas Quimby (1802-1866) whose work is widely recognized as the New Thought Movement.
- James Allen – my favorite “As a Man Thinketh” is a literary essay by James Allen, published in 1903 and described by Allen as dealing with the power of thought to achieve happiness.
- “Your Forces and How to Use Them” by Christian D. Larson in 1912
- “The Higher Powers of Mind and Spirit” by Ralph Waldo Trine in 1917
- “Within You is the Power” by Henry Thomas Hamblin in 1920 and Founder of The Science of Thought Review
- “How to Win Friends and Influence People” Dale Carnegie in 1936
Beyond 1936, the 20th Century presented us with more Self-Help bestsellers than I have patience to list so I’ll jump ahead to the 1990’s when social media started to gain popularity bringing us to where we are now. Sure looks a lot different than I thought it would – insert prayers here – and with that I will leave you with a link to over 8,000 entries of Self-Help Books for your enjoyment and well being. Peace.
“Our happiness or misery is in our belief.” —Phineas Parkhurst Quimby, 1860
If you need help … Call Family. Call Friends. Reach Out. People Care.
www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help
Veterans Crisis Line – 1-800-273-8255 Press 1
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Emergency Services – Call 911
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
